I offered her my arm and, masking again, we led the way.
"Will Your Highness tell me something?" she asked immediately. "Did you know your antagonist?"
"I didn't see his face," I evaded.
She looked at me quickly. "Would it be better for me not to know?"
"Yes," said I, "I think it would."
There was, really, no reason why I should shield Lotzen; yet, neither was there any reason to rattle a family skeleton in public, and raise a scandal, which would run the Kingdom over and be the gossip of every Court in Europe.
Then I lifted my mask so she could see my face.
"And, my dear Lady Vierle," I said earnestly, "if you would do me a great favor, you will promise to forget all about this unfortunate incident."
She, too, raised her mask and looked me frankly in the eyes.
"I promise," she said.