"Unless," Mr. Deane continued, "some greater scandal than any at present known were to attach itself to our two friends."
"One cannot tell," Phineas Duge said slowly. "Such a scandal might come. It is hard to say. The ways that lead to great wealth are full of pitfalls, and they are not ways that stand very well the blinding glare of daylight."
Littleson was looking pale and nervous. He drew a little breath and fanned himself with his handkerchief.
"You men love to talk in riddles," he said, or rather whispered, hoarsely. "Why not admit that they are safe enough so long as Norris Vine does not move!"
A servant approached the ambassador and whispered in apologetic fashion in his ear.
"There is a young lady, sir," he said, "who has just arrived, and who insists upon seeing you. She says that her business is of the utmost importance. I have done my best to make her understand that you are engaged, but she will not listen to reason. She is, I think, sir, an American young lady, and she is very much disturbed."
Phineas Duge leaned forward in his place. His eyes were fixed upon the servant. He said nothing. He only waited.
"A young American lady!" Mr. Deane repeated slowly. "Have you seen her before?"
"I believe, sir," the man answered, "that it is the same young lady who came here some weeks ago to inquire after Mr. Norris Vine."
Phineas Duge was on his feet with a sudden soft, half-stifled exclamation. Mr. Deane looked around the table. His other guests were all talking amongst themselves. Littleson, ignorant of what this might mean, was looking a little bewildered. The ambassador addressed one of the men a little lower down the table.