"A woman is always a valuable ally, and the Countess Mavrodin knows her power. No, I am beyond turning pretty speeches to-day," he went on quickly; "the times are too serious for them. You know, Countess, what occurred last night?"
"I left the palace somewhat early," she said; "but there was an air of constraint about. What caused it, Lord Cloverton?"
"I was referring to Baron Petrescu's affair. No one has talked of anything else to-day."
"And you can tell me the truth of it," she exclaimed. "I am glad. I have heard many stories since I entered the Bois."
"I was expecting to hear the real truth from you," said the Ambassador, fixing his eyes upon her.
"From me! Am I the wife of some bourgeois in the city to inflame the Baron's susceptibilities into indiscretion? It is some such tale I have heard."
"But which you knew to be untrue, Countess."
"I have thought more highly of Baron Petrescu than that, I admit."
"Naturally, seeing that Captain Ellerey is not a bourgeois of the city, and has no wife as far as I know. My young countryman is no boaster beyond his worth, it would seem. The Baron has found his match."
"Is that the truth of it?" she asked innocently.