Still sobbing, "Eliza de Vere" left the room, taking no notice of the indignant sentry.
"Your Majesty has the knack of making friends," Mr. Smith said, with a smile. "Her thanks and blessings were most impressive."
"Poor devil!" I said. "Some of Ivan's beastliness, only with her the worst effect was a broken contract, with the managers of some troupe of dancers."
"And you put matters right immediately?"
"It was easily done."
"How much did it cost, Victor?"
"Nothing compared to a person's happiness."
He shrugged his shoulders, but humorously; and then once more became the stern-faced man.
"And Prince Alexis?" he asked.
"Ah, in his case I have given him enough rope to last him a year or so, at the end of which time I shall be quite happy to hang him."