Maxine bent her head in gracious condescension.
"Then, madame, I would make of Monsieur Édouard a book of figures. The princess would learn the rules; Monsieur Max would shut the book, and make up the sum. It would be quite simple."
The hot color scorched Maxine's face; she rose quickly. "Jacqueline! I had not expected this!"
"Madame desired me to speak from the heart. The heart, at times, is unruly!"
"True! Forgive me. But you should not suggest a thing that you know to be impossible."
"Pardon, madame! I was thinking of the many impossibilities performed in a good cause!"
"Say no more, Jacqueline! To-night was to-night! To-night is over!" She walked across the room and passed out upon the balcony, leaning over the railing at the spot where Blake had stood.
Jacqueline, swift and guileful, was instantly beside her.
"Madame, at its most serious, to-night was a little comedy. Is it so criminal to repeat a little comedy—once, or even twice—in a good cause? It is not as if madame were not sure of herself! Besides, the comedy was charming!"
"Yes; the comedy was charming!" Maxine echoed the sentiment, and in her heart called 'charming' a poor word. "But even if I were weak, Jacqueline," she added, "how could I banish Max? Max could scarcely continue to have important business."