“You came, I think, Monsieur, because you are desirous of entering Government service—M. de Caumont asks my influence on your behalf.”
“I will not put you to that trouble, Highness,” answered Luc wearily.
The Duke laughed in his princely way, as if he was too great to be easily offended; yet Luc thought he was vexed too, perhaps a little confused.
“I shall be able to give you a position, Monsieur, immediately.”
Luc flushed almost as painfully as if some one had offered him money.
“You mistake me,” he said gravely.
“No, I think I estimate you fairly well,” answered the Governor decidedly.
“In this you mistake me,” replied Luc, with a sudden flash in his voice. “There is nothing in your gift, Monseigneur, that I would accept.”
A look of wrathful amaze glimmered for an instant in the Duke’s brown eyes, but he smiled, though coldly.
“For one who hopes to succeed in diplomacy,” he said, “you are singularly simple.”