"She will never be happy with a man who does not love her. Demetrius will not come near me, and I cannot explain. Will you oblige me by taking a message?"
"Why should I?"
"For the sake of retaining him as Lord James's medical attendant."
Leah nodded. "As a wife, I will take your message. What is it?"
"Tell Demetrius that if he will give Katinka to understand that he will never marry her my gratitude will be stronger than my duty."
"In other words, you will not arrest him."
"So long as he remains in England."
"Where he can't be arrested," laughed Lady Jim. "Well, your message shall be duly delivered. And I may as well confess, since we are committed to plain speaking, that M. Demetrius informed me why he had to leave Russia."
"His confidence will render it easier for you to make a treaty between us, madame."
"Possibly. But you will understand that I assume the rôle of peacemaker solely on my husband's account."