The Minister smiled a little oddly.
"Not as regards Lady Henry. Oh, Mademoiselle Julie is a very astute lady."
A ripple from some source of secret amusement spread over the dark-lined face.
"What do you mean by that?"
"She knows how to help her friends better than most people. I have known three men, at least, made by Mademoiselle Le Breton within the last two or three years. She has just got a fresh one in tow."
Sir Wilfrid moved a little closer to his host. They turned slightly from the table and seemed to talk into their cigars.
"Young Warkworth?" said Bury.
The Minister smiled again and hesitated.
"Oh, she doesn't bother me, she is much too clever. But she gets at me in the most amusing, indirect ways. I know perfectly well when she has been at work. There are two or three men--high up, you understand--who frequent Lady Henry's evenings, and who are her very good friends.... Oh, I dare say she'll get what she wants," he added, with nonchalance.
"Between you and me, do you suspect any direct interest in the young man?"