“You have the letter with you?” he asked.
“Again, no,” she replied. “It is to explain its loss, and to warn the Ambassador that I am here.”
“His Excellency is exceedingly busy—will you not relate the circumstances to me?”
“My instructions from Madame Durrand are most specific that I am to deal only with his Excellency,” Mrs. Clephane explained—with such a dazzling smile that the secretary’s eyes fairly popped. “Won’t you please tell him I’m here, and that I have a luncheon engagement at one o’clock.”
The secretary hesitated. Again the smile smote him full in the face—and he hesitated no longer.
“Come with me, Madame Clephane,” he replied “His Excellency is occupied at present, but I’ll deliver your message.”
Once more the smile—as opening the door for her he bowed her into an inner office, and carefully placed a chair for her.
“A moment, madame,” he whispered, disappearing through an adjoining doorway.
Whereat Mrs. Clephane sighed with amused complacency, and waited.
Presently the door opened and the secretary appeared. “His Excellency will receive you, Madame Clephane,” he said.