"Oh!"
"And you are going to ask her to invite two particular friends of yours to this wonderful ball of hers."
"Indeed," ironically. "That sounds all very easy."
"Easier than you think, my child."
"I will not have you call me child."
"Well, then, Olga."
"That's better. Now, how will it be easier than I think?"
"Simply this; the Princess Parlova is an oath-bound member, but has not been active for years."
"Oho!" Olga was all animation now. "Go on!"
"You will go to her with a letter of introduction—no! Better than that, you will make a formal call and show her this ring. You know the ring," he said, passing the talisman to the countess. "Show this to her and she will obey you in everything. She will have no alternative."