Phyllis grew silent. "Forgive me, Jack!" impulsively. "But all this is scarcely to be believed. And then you say there are no proofs."
"Not in the eyes of the law," I replied; "but nature has written it in your faces." I was wondering why she had not gone into raptures at the prospect of becoming a Princess.
"It is a great honor," she said, after some meditation, "and it is very kind of you. But I care as little for the title as I do for this rose." And she cast away one of Pembroke's roses. It boded ill for my cousin's cause.
Presently we saw the giver of the rose loom up in the doorway. He was smiling as usual.
"It is supper, Jack," he said; "I'm afraid you'll have to go."
"Does he know?" whispered Phyllis as we rose.
"Yes."
She frowned. And as they went away I mused upon the uncertainty of placing valuable things in woman's hands.
The next person I saw was the Chancellor.
"Well?" I interrogated.