"She is no casual visitor."
"Very likely," I agreed. "Madeline Spencer is not the sort to do casual travelling. She has an object—but it is not I."
"I wish I could feel secure of it."
"Do you mean it's I you doubt, dear?" I asked.
She gave me her sweetest smile. "I shall doubt you, Armand, only when you yourself order me to—and, even then, I may disregard the order."
Before such love a man falls abject in his absolute unworthiness.
"I don't deserve such trust, sweetheart," I answered humbly—and I think my voice broke in the saying.
"I'll risk it," she replied. "If I were as sure that woman's presence meant no harm to you I would be altogether easy."
"What harm could she possibly do to an Archduke of Valeria?" I laughed.
"None that I can imagine, I admit—unless she seek to discredit you with the King."