"Doubt!" I exclaimed, bewildered. "There is no room for doubt in the matter."
Then she raised her eyes to mine, and I saw there new things. I saw trouble and appeal, and behind both the shadow of mystery.
"Have you spoken to my father?" she asked.
"Yes," I answered.
"Did he accept—your view?"
"He did not," I answered bitterly. "I could not convince him of what I saw with my own eyes."
"You have done your duty, then," she said softly. "Why not let the rest go? As you told us just now, this is not a personal matter, and there are reasons why he did not wish the Prince to leave suddenly."
I was staggered. I held my peace, and the two stood watching me. Then
I heard footsteps approaching us, and a familiar voice.
"What trio of conspirators is this talking so earnstly in the shadows?
Ah!"
The Prince had seen me, and he stood still. I faced him at once.