'I really must ask you to explain,' he said harshly, moving away from her.
'Eberhard,' she said brokenly, 'I sent the powder to the Duchess.'
Serenissimus started forward. 'You confess? O my God!' he cried.
'Yes; I will tell you. The powder was a harmless philtre. I brewed a magic draught which causes whoever drinks it to forget the being they love, and become enamoured of the first person they see. O Eberhard, believe me!'
'Fairy tales!' he almost laughed. 'But why given in secret? why given at all?' he demanded.
'If she forgot you, forgot your charm, beloved, she would be happy again. I had pity on her!'
It was poison she had sent, and even to herself her story seemed too extravagant for credence. To her surprise, however, his Highness believed her in this.
'Well, and for the rest? for Ferrari's being hidden in the castle?' he questioned.
'Call Maria and ask her if I was aware that the madman had left Urach. She can vouch that I thought him to be here.'
'Why did he do this thing?' said the Duke.