He answered earnestly—
"A great difference. If there is a schism between her and the Prince his hands are hopelessly weakened, for there would be a larger party for her pretensions than for his——"
"What do you want me to do, dear heart?"
"I want a woman to manage a woman," smiled the Earl. "The Princess is seldom in touch with diplomats, and when she is—either by design or simplicity—she is very reserved."
"She is no confidante of mine," answered the Countess. "I only remember her as a lively child who wept two days to leave England, and that was ten years ago."
"Still," urged my lord, "you can find some engine to do me this great service—to discover the mind of the Princess."
Lady Sunderland paused thoughtfully.
"Do you remember Basilea Gage?" she asked at length.
"One of the maids of honour to Her Majesty when she was Duchess?"
"Yes; since married to a Frenchman who died, and now in Amsterdam—she and the Princess Royal were children together—I knew her too. Should I set her on this business?"