“There must be of course a decision one way or the other,” she put in when I paused.
“You will understand that before I came here I had no idea I was to meet you. I expected to have to deal only with M. Boreski.”
“That was part of my intention. In that I misled you, I know.”
“It is nothing compared to the deception I have practised upon you; and I can only plead the excuse that I should not have done it under any inducements had I known of you. Please believe that.”
“Deception? How do you mean?”
“I am not the Emperor, mademoiselle; I am only what I have asked you to regard me—a plain American citizen, Harper C. Denver.”
If she was astonished at my confession or angry at it, she gave no sign of either feeling.
“That is a very serious confession,” she said, speaking very slowly. “Very serious. When did you decide to make it?”
“This morning, realizing the present impasse.”
“It is very ingenious, at any rate.” Her tone was sarcastic now. “It did not occur to you to speak of such a—such a trifle last night.”