"I confess that was in my mind."
"It pleases you to jest, Captain Ellerey, and I am in no mood for such jesting."
She rose, and he was forced to take her from the ballroom. He had succeeded in making her angry, and had gained nothing. He had been ill-advised to question her.
"You must pardon me," he said.
"You must earn your pardon, monsieur," was her answer, as she turned away with another partner who had approached, leaving Ellerey perplexed.
"A love quarrel, monsieur? I have noted several; they are frequent here."
At the slight touch on his arm Ellerey turned to face Lord Cloverton.
"Hardly a quarrel, my lord; certainly not a love one," he said.
"I was mistaken then, or you think so, Captain Ellerey. Love is a curious disease at all times, and in all places, difficult to diagnose sometimes. In the Court of Sturatzberg one has ample opportunity of studying it. I may be right after all, Captain Ellerey. I have more knowledge of this Court than you have; I have spent a longer time in it."
Lord Cloverton moved forward smiling, evidently expecting Ellerey to walk beside him across the room.