"If you remove him to that distance, I confess to an indiscretion. Shall we return?"
"Without admiring the Estrelles?"
"Madame, the excuse was obvious."
"For what?"
Aksakoff shrugged his shoulders. "For the clearing up of misunderstandings. You are anxious--so you say--that Demetrius should cure your husband. My reason for this conversation is, to apologise for my intention to rob you of his very valuable services. If I can trap Demetrius--say in Paris--Lord James must content himself with an inferior doctor."
Leah looked pensive and puzzled. "I comprehend; but why should you make use of the wrong word?"
"Misunderstanding?" Then, when she nodded, "My ignorance of your language----"
"Or of my feelings? By this talk of Parisian traps and Siberian punishment, you assume that I am acquainted with the private affairs of M. Demetrius."
"It is possible that I have made that mistake," said Aksakoff, dryly.
"As a diplomatist you should never confess as much. It might be that I may take advantage of your--mistake, to inform M. Demetrius of his danger."