“Stand away from the door, Count, or I will summon assistance.”
“No; you will not. It would be painfully undignified to be discovered struggling with one of your colleagues on account of an insult which you had offered him and were perfectly unable to justify. Here you remain until you answer my question.”
“There is little to answer. I merely say that you made good use of your opportunities of enjoying her Majesty’s society during your escape from Tatarjé.”
“Or in other words——?”
“In other words, she is in love with you, and would like to marry you and make you regent. But that she will not do so long as I am in office. I think you will find it advisable to quit Thracia, my friend.”
“Wait a moment, please. Your proofs?”
“Proofs? I have seen her look at you.”
“You are truly an observant person, monsieur; but the unsupported evidence of your eyes will not carry conviction to the mind of every one.”
“It will convince the Cabinet, and if you make it necessary for me to proceed to extremities, the Powers. Nor is it my only evidence. After my trouble in sounding the Powers on the subject of the Queen’s remarriage, she refused even to suggest a suitor who would be acceptable to her, or to consider the matter at all. Some influence must be at work to cause this distaste for matrimony in her own rank, and whose should it be but yours? You yourself will not attempt to deny that things are as I have stated.”
“Most certainly I shall deny nothing. There is nothing to deny. You have not produced a particle of proof in support of your extraordinary story. In order to further your own designs, you have had the chivalry to play the spy upon the words and looks of the unfortunate Queen, and not unnaturally you persuade yourself that you have seen what you wished to see—in one instance only. Take my advice, Drakovics: consult your doctor, and make him order you a little rest. Delusions of this kind are not things to be trifled with.”