The question surprised him, and he pursed his lips and frowned in thought and looked across at Helga.
“I do not understand your Majesty.”
“Come, come, monsieur, you must do that. You are young, you have a great career before you as a maestro, they tell me, a career which means ample rewards in money in these days—so that you cannot be seeking money only. What, then, is it?”
“Your Majesty is good enough——”
“Stay,” I put in then. “I have explained to Mademoiselle Helga that I am strictly incognito. Regard me as no other than the American, Mr. Denver, and let us talk this out as man to man. Forget that there is any one present but a private individual who has influence with an absent Emperor. Now tell me frankly what is the real object you are seeking?”
“You are very gracious, but my object has already been explained—I desire to marry the Duchess Stephanie.”
“As a means to what end?”
“Marriage is an end in itself,” said Helga, speaking for the first time, and coming to his rescue.
“That would make M. Boreski a mere fortune-hunter, mademoiselle, an extremely distasteful and invidious part to play.”
They were both surprised at the turn of things and were silent for some moments.