"It is no crime, Captain Ellerey—rather a romance. I should have repudiated the idea of a crime in connection with you."
"Countess, that is the kindest thing you have ever said to me."
She looked into his face, and the color came into her own.
"Are we not friends?" she said, "and is it not the elemental part of friendship to believe nothing ill? I would hardly believe a confession of crime, though your own lips spoke it. No, this information was about a woman."
"Unknown women are a dangerous subject between us, Countess," said Ellerey, with a smile. "I am barely forgiven yet for the mysterious lady of the Altstrasse."
"This is not an unknown woman, but a very famous one—none other than
Princess Maritza of Wallaria. You have heard of her?"
"I have not only heard of her, but seen her and spoken to her."
"And admired her?" she asked.
"Yes, her beauty and her indomitable courage."
"That is what I heard, that you admired her."