"If I said yes, would it please you?"
"Not unless I thought it true, monsieur—and, also, knew the reason."
He looked at her steadily a moment.
"What better reason could I have than that you are the most beautiful woman in Valeria?"
She put her fan before her face.
"Your Highness's compliment is very delicate," she laughed.
"It wasn't meant for a compliment," he answered. "If you have looked in your mirror, to-night, you know I speak the simple truth."
She got up and went over to a great glass, on the opposite wall. Lotzen followed her, and they stood there, a bit, looking in it.
"You like me in black?" she asked, smiling at him in the mirror.
"I like you in anything," he answered—and made as though to put his arm around her waist.