“Is that a refusal?” she asked swiftly.
“A conditional acceptance rather, is it not?”
“I did not come for conditions. I came for frank acceptance or rejection of my offer.”
“I arrived but last night,” I reminded her, blandly.
“You are playing with words. What is your object in Belgrade?”
“I think everyone in the capital who knows of my presence knows why I have come.”
“But I mean your secret object. You have not come here to lend this money. Englishmen—I beg pardon, even Americans do not act like madmen in such matters. You know there is no stability in the kingdom, no security that even your interest would be paid. Why then do you come? What part are you proposing to play in all the intrigues at present rife here? Whose side do you take and why?”
“The negotiations for the loan....” I began when she cut me short with a laugh and waved the words aside.
“What is it you want to buy with your money?”
“Really....”