“I told Madame she had made a mistake. Perhaps Madame will explain?”
He picked up his hat.
“Shall I leave you to explain?” he insisted, looking full at Carola.
“Leave me to solve my enigma,” said Luc, with a smile. “Give me five minutes, M. le Duc——”
“Are you so quick?” responded M. de Richelieu. “I will give you half an hour in which to weary of guessing your riddle.”
His charming face relaxed into a soft and fleeting smile, he bowed low to the haggard lady on the sofa, and left her alone with Luc.
CHAPTER VII
A PICTURE
Carola moved her long hands so that they covered her face.
“What are you?” asked Luc dreamily. “What are you?”
She dropped her hands and looked at him.