"Your Royal Highness is not kind to my intelligence," said his Excellency.
"Confess, then, you did not think that such was their courage?"
"I will perjure myself if your Royal Highness desires it." The Ambassador's laugh was not so gay in effect as it was in intention. "But could I believe that you would admit any save the bravest to your friendship?"
"Then you recognise, Baron, that my friends are brave?"
"Unquestionably, madam, they are brave."
"Explain then, Baron, why you did not guard the doors of my prison? For what reason, when you went out to dine this evening, did you forget to lock them and put the keys in your pocket?"
Before the subtle laughter in the eyes of his questioner the Ambassador lowered his gaze.
"I trust your Royal Highness does not feel that one of the oldest, if one of the humblest, servants of the good King has so little regard for your Royal Highness as to seek to debar her from the simplest of pleasures?"
"It has not occurred to your Excellency that that of which you speak as the simplest of pleasures may prove for yourself the greatest of calamities?"
At this point the Ambassador was tempted to dissemble.