“You were witness of her reception of the pledge?”
“Of the Infanta’s?”
“Now who else? The Infanta’s, of course. Well, how did it strike you?”
“That mademoiselle, perhaps, made a little light of the gift.”
The duke dabbed his forehead, and sat up suddenly, with a sigh.
“Charlot?”
“Your Highness?”
“What was that you once hinted to me about someone’s art with a little a?”
“Your Highness thought fit at the time—very properly, I am sure—to reprove me for what was merely an idle speculation.”
“Very likely. You declined to state your authority, if I remember. Do you still?”