As Rollmar’s sign of agreement suggested that he had put a rather different construction on the words from that which was intended, the Count was fain to explain them.
“I have done myself the honour to retain the Princess under my roof from motives of protection.”
“Ah!” Rollmar evidently accepted the statement for what it was worth.
“You will allow,” Irromar continued, with dogged complacency, “that the circumstances under which her Highness came under my roof were, to say the least, extraordinary, and might be held to excuse any ignorance or error on my part.”
“Assuredly, Count,” Rollmar agreed. “The circumstances were no doubt, peculiar.”
“They suggested caution, if not interference, on my part,” his host proceeded, “even before I was aware of the identity of my guests.”
“Certainly.”
The dominant feeling which now possessed the Count’s mind was intense curiosity. “The strange conduct and personality of the ladies’ companions were calculated to fill one with suspicion.”
He paused after his tentative speech, but Rollmar merely bowed his agreement.
“The circumstances and manner of the party’s arrival here were mysterious.”