He took out the anonymous letter, which he had remembered to get from Courtney; and when she had read it, he tore it into bits.
“Will you have the explanation that explains now or during dinner?” he asked.
She sprang up.
“I forgot I was hungry! Come we will get Elise and Moore—that girl is a rare coquette; she makes my poor Adjutant’s life very miserable.”
“It looks like it!” said Armand opening the door just as Moore caught Mlle. d’Essoldé and kissed her, despite her struggles.
“I warned you, my lady,” he was saying, “you would tempt me too far some day ... will you forgive me now, or shall I do it all over again?”
The Princess laughed. Moore’s arms dropped and he sprang back, while Mlle. d’Essoldé, flaming with embarrassment and anger, buried her face in her hands.
“Forgive him until after dinner, Elise,” said Dehra; “you can retract then, and resume the situation, if you wish.”
“O wise and beneficent ruler!” said Moore, bowing to the ground, “I agree to the compromise.”
Mlle. d’Essoldé looked at him in contemptuous scorn—though, in truth, she was more inclined to laugh; she never could be angry with her Irishman, for long.