“It is perhaps fortunate for you, therefore, that you are now only a business man—with a short memory,” she retorted with a glance which I affected not to see.
Then an unexpected incident followed. I accompanied her to the door and as we crossed the hall, Chris was lying there. He got up and she looked at him and paused.
“That is an enormous dog, Mr. Bergwyn. I do not like big dogs.”
“Chris will not hurt you. He is gentle as he is big—unless on necessary occasions.”
“You call him Chris?” she exclaimed, in a tone of surprise. “That is something of a coincidence; I hope it is not an omen,” and she gave me a keen glance.
“Why a coincidence?”
“I was thinking of the Queen’s advocate—Gatrina. She has had some adventure in which a dog named Chris took a part. I hope it is not an omen that you will side with her. I am very superstitious, you know. We Serbs are.”
But she was not a Serb and was far too sensible to be superstitious. Besides, there was an expression on her face as she drove away that I would have given a good deal to have understood.
CHAPTER XV.
DEVELOPMENTS.
I should have reckoned it bad luck to run up against Elma once more under any circumstances; but it was much worse to find her installed here in Belgrade, a woman of rank, wealth and influence, in close touch with the court and with Gatrina, and taking a part in the game of political intrigue likely to render her a serious opponent to my purpose.