"Be seated, madame," he said. "I am interested—unless, of course, you do not care for us to hear it."
She dropped him a wonderful courtesy—acquired, doubtless, in her French Convent school.
"Your Majesty is more than welcome to every word of my story," she answered, with ready frankness. "The Grand Duke Armand knows it quite as well as I; though he affects otherwise, because it pleases him to pretend that I am not his wife."
"My dear madame," the King said, "you are not to tell me anything. You are simply graciously permitting me to be present when you carry out the bargain you have just made with the Governor of Dornlitz."
She smiled very sweetly at the King; then, turned to me.
"Will you begin, Armand," she said.
I bowed. "After you, madame," said I. "And, perchance, when I have heard your story, I may revoke the order."
She smiled disdainfully—then, addressed the King:
"I consented to this exchange only because Your Majesty would, thus, hear at least some truth as to this marriage. I confess, however, I am surprised that Major Dalberg permits it to be disclosed."
She turned to me with affected hesitation.