“I suppose we must keep up the pretence. We are to go through into the further conservatory.” The place was empty save for a couple of chairs making a sort of cosy corner; and as I guessed the arrangement was of the Queen’s making, I blessed her for her unwitting thoughtfulness.
Gatrina was very pale, and as she sat down she exclaimed impulsively:
“It is almost maddening. You might have spared me this.”
“What is maddening?”
“Please not to pretend you don’t understand. That can only make matters worse than they are.”
“I understand that I wish very urgently to speak to you; but if you would prefer another time, I will go;” and I got up.
“And so force me to give some false explanation to the Queen of what I cannot explain truly. Thank you.”
I sat down again. “Can’t we clear the air a bit?” I asked.
“Having done this miserable thing you pretend not to know what it is. I suppose you can see that all this is arranged. That I was to dance with you, make myself agreeable to you, bring you here where we could be undisturbed, and then talk you into carrying out this miserable loan. You can see that surely, as clearly as you can see how successful you have been in humiliating me. You must be very glad and proud of your success.”
“Thank you.”