"You wish to speak with him?"
"Yes, but it can wait," answered Lord Cloverton carelessly. "Success is the result of skilfully seizing opportunities, and in finding you alone an opportunity comes to me. Will you spare me a moment?"
She bowed a smiling acquiescence as though the question were unnecessary.
"Like me, Countess, I am sure you take little interest in uninteresting people, therefore you must have found this Captain Ellerey interesting. So have I—so interesting, indeed, that I have wondered why he came to Wallaria."
"He has not given me so much of his confidence as you appear to imagine, my lord."
"He has not told you! Ah, then I will, in confidence, Countess, in confidence."
"I understand, and I shall respect it," she answered, eager to learn what explanation the Ambassador would give.
"He had enemies in England who made certain charges against him which were absolutely without foundation; but so skilfully had they been manipulated that Captain Ellerey was unable to prove them false. His nature is an impatient one, and in anger he turned his back upon England and came to Sturatzberg. In Wallaria there were possibilities. I can understand his action, Countess; it was a natural one in a man of his independent character, but it was foolish. It gave credence to the tales which had been circulated. Now, Countess, influential friends have taken up his case, and he ought to go back to England."
"But why tell this to me, my lord?"
"A woman's persuasion, Countess, is all-powerful."