"You will please to be seated, Mr. Greatson!"
I obeyed.
"I am not going to play the hypocrite with you, sir," she said quietly. "It is not worth while, is it? The object of the struggle between us has been, on my part, to keep Isobel and her grandfather apart. You have doubtless correctly gauged my motive. Isobel's mother was my father's favourite child. If he had an idea that her child was alive, he would receive her without a word. She would completely usurp the place of Adelaide, my own daughter, in his affection—and in his will."
"In his will!" I repeated quietly. "Yes, I understand."
Madame nodded.
"It is quite simple," she said. "For myself I am willing to admit that I am an ambitious woman. Money for its own sake I take no heed of, but it remains always one of the great levers of the world, and it is the only lever by means of which I can gain what I desire. I never forget that the country over which my father rules was once an absolute kingdom, and semi-Royalty does not appeal to me. The betrothal of my daughter Adelaide to Ferdinand of Saxonia was of my planning entirely. The dowry required by the Council of Saxonia is so large that it could not possibly be paid if any portion of my father's fortune, great though it is, is diverted towards Isobel. Hence my desire to keep Isobel and her grandfather apart."
"Madame," I said, "you are candour itself. I can only regret that it is my hard fate to oppose such admirable plans."
"I have been given to understand," the Archduchess said, "that it is now your intention to take Isobel yourself to Illghera!"
"The tickets," I murmured, "are in my pocket."
Madame bowed.