“Cousin,” she said, “I have just asserted that you killed Adolph and have the Book of Laws—is it not the truth?”
Lady Helen gasped; Armand half rose from his chair; even Courtney’s studied immobility of countenance was not impervious to his surprise.
The Duke alone met the situation with perfect imperturbability. He neither started, frowned, nor changed expression in the slightest; the pleasant smile, that was on his lips, lingered unabated, while the hand that rested on his sword hilt was as steady as the cold, blue eyes which gave back the Princess’ gaze. Then, gradually, the smile broadened, creeping slowly upward, until it touched the cold blue eyes, though warming them not a whit; presently, he laughed, gently, and with just a trace of jeer.
“It is not for a subject to contradict the Regent of Valeria,” he said—and with a bow and a salute he turned languidly away.
And the Princess did not stop him, but in silence, chin still on hand, she watched him out of sight.
IX
THE RECKLESS GAME
The Princess was the first to speak. “Tell me, Your Excellency,” she said, “do you admit my premises, now?”
“Are you, yourself, quite as sure of them, as you were?” he asked.
“Sure!—sure! I’m absolutely sure—I saw the truth in his eyes—didn’t you, Armand?”
“No,” said the latter, “I didn’t—I never saw truth anywhere in Lotzen.”