In spite of her smooth words, I was not satisfied, for my eyes, travelling past her, happened to rest upon the curtain which covered the other doorway, and I saw it move.
Decidedly, the door behind it had been opened. Accordingly I raised my voice.
“Then I pray you to awake him, madam,” I answered, “for the business I have to discharge is urgent.”
“What is your business?” she said sharply.
“Madam,” I answered coolly, “I regret that it is for his ears alone.”
She bit her lip with vexation.
“Or, to be plain, sir,” she replied, “you will not tell me?” and she tapped her foot impatiently upon the floor.
“If you so put it, madam,” I said bluntly.
She looked at me with a gathering frown. “You need not fear to trust me, sir,” she answered quickly. “My lord has no secrets that I do not share.”
“But I am not his lordship,” I retorted with a faint sneer. “Therefore I pray you to hold me excused, especially as it is connected with affairs of state.”