"Armand," he said, leaning a bit forward, "Lady Helen and I have been discussing the woman in black, yonder—the pretty one. We take her to be an American—what is your opinion?"
The whole table heard the question, and every one looked at the lady—either immediately or when they could do it with proper discretion.
"You mean the woman with the elderly couple, just near us?" I asked, glancing thither, and so on around to the Princess, who met me with a smile.
"The same," said Lotzen.
"You're quite right," said I; "she is an American."
"You know her?" he asked.
"I used to know her."
He hesitated a moment—and, of course, everyone waited. "Couldn't you still know her enough to present me?" he asked.
I shook my head. "You would be most unfortunate in your sponsor," I answered.
He smiled indulgently. "I'll risk it," he said.