“How?”
“You must leave that to my contriving.” At that moment I became aware that someone was coming quickly toward us through the conservatory between us and the ballroom. “Someone is coming. Take no notice,” I whispered rapidly, and then in a loud tone: “I shall carefully consider all you have said, Princess, and thank you for your patience with me.”
“This is the rare palm, Prince. Oh, someone is here.” It was Elma’s voice, and she added with gentle spite: “Why, it is Gatrina and Mr. Bergwyn. I thought you had gone an hour ago. I am so sorry to intrude. Come, Prince, let us go back. We are in the way.”
“Not in the least, Baroness,” I answered. I had risen and saw that her companion was Prince Albrevics, and further that he was partially intoxicated.
“I have been looking for you everywhere, Gatrina,” he said in a surly tone, his voice a little thick and unsteady with liquor.
“I have been here by the Queen’s desire,” she replied.
“Then you’ve been long enough, and can come away by mine.”
He had been a handsome man in his day, and his figure still retained something of soldierly strength and uprightness. But the features had the heavy, sodden look of dissipation.
“We have finished our conference, I think, Mr. Bergwyn?”
“How very fortunate we just timed our coming not to disturb them, Prince, wasn’t it?” said Elma, with a sweet, significant smile.