“Just so. The usual result when kings are forced to mate from policy. Our Alexander looks round to find a companion more to his taste.”
“And the lady’s name?”
“Is a secret unknown to Panine, and therefore to me.”
“Has the intrigue reached a guilty stage?—but no, it cannot have.”
Lord St. Helens wondered at the husky voice and at the strange look with which his nephew put this question.
“Panine thinks not. In fact, judging from what happened to-night at the masquerade, it must be inferred that the love is on the Czar’s side only.”
“Why, what did happen?”
“A masquerade, as you know, affords excellent facilities for an intrigue. The Czar, aware that his inamorata would be at this fête, determined himself to be present He came without state, masked, and costumed, and sought eagerly, as we may suppose, for his lady-love, and at last found her.”
“Alone?”