She laughed. "Nonsense, Duke; besides, I would not have gone."
"And the promenade?" he asked.
"With the Black Masque dead the promenade would have been no longer necessary."
"Oh," said he: "I'm beginning to understand. You met me last night for a particular purpose; and that, being frustrated by the duel, is the reason for the appointment here this evening."
She was leaning idly back, and the fan had resumed its languid motions.
"Your Highness has stated it with charming exactness," she said.
His face grew stern; and I saw the hand, that hung beside his chair, clench sharply. Mrs. Spencer saw it, too.
"Don't be angry, Duke," she laughed. "Be grateful for the privilege it gives you of being here to-night."
Lotzen got up sharply and took a step toward the door.
"Going, Your Highness?" asked that softly-caressing voice.