Elmur shrugged his shoulders.
'We should have Duke Simon to deal with in that case, instead of Duke Gustave.'
M. Selpdorf's round forehead wrinkled slightly. He was apprehensive of this new temper in Elmur. The Chancellor was too clever to be quite honest, and too honest to be quite unflinching. A man, in fact, a little weaker and a little stronger than his fellows. 'Then the Count's methods still commend themselves to you, the miscarriage of the plan of Sagan notwithstanding?' he asked with an invidious smile.
'If his Highness can be brought into a complacent frame of mind as regards our project to-day, and before the English proposals are laid before him, I think we shall not need the methods of the Count,' Elmur answered. 'Count Simon has undertaken to help us on the Frontier. Major Counsellor will be detained under some pretext at Kofn Ford block-house, and later you, Monsieur, who have so consummate a skill in covering the mistakes of other people, will set this mistake right by a graceful apology. The fat Major will arrive in Révonde behind time—that is all. In the meanwhile, his despatches will be forwarded to you if you will select a safe person to meet the Count's messenger beyond the river. Later you can return them to Major Counsellor and score a point by the act.'
Selpdorf made no comment, but changed the subject. 'I have had a little talk with my daughter.'
Elmur laid down his pen and his impassive air became more marked than ever.
'Am I then to have the pleasure of an interview with Mademoiselle to-day?' he inquired. 'I hope she exonerates me from any blame in connection with the announcement made at Sagan?'
'Entirely. But she is inclined to insist that her consent was conditional—no more.'
'I only desire the opportunity of assuring her of my entire devotion,' said Elmur.
'I do not fancy that she wrongs you, my dear Baron, by doubting that.'