"And, may I ask, of what degree?"
"Of a degree higher than your own!" said Valentine, turning her great eyes indolently upon him.
Guise looked staggered. He had not supposed that the world held any such.
"Then he must have been a reigning prince!" he stammered.
"Well?" said Valentine, looking at him with direct inquiry.
"I had not understood that even so ancient a house as the Osorios——"
"I never said that my father was an Osorio!"
"Ah!" said the Duke, "then I ask your pardon. I was indeed ignorant."
He scented mystery, and being a plain, hard-hearted, cruel man of the time, thrust into a commanding position by circumstances, he resented being puzzled, like a very justice of the peace.
"If you do not believe me——" Valentine began.