“None whatever. Stefanovics gave me the assurance in the plainest terms.”
“It is possible that he exceeded his instructions.”
“On the contrary, he repeated to me her Majesty’s words at her own desire. Nothing could be more definite than the statement of her determination. But, my dear Count”—as the servant left the room for an instant—“are we wise in speaking so freely before this new footman of yours? He may understand French.”
“Impossible,” returned Cyril carelessly. “He told me so himself; and he had no motive for concealing the truth, since his wages would have been higher if he had been able to speak a foreign tongue. In a polyglot household like mine, the man who knows most languages is the most useful. We have no reason to be afraid of him. But, by the bye”—the footman had now returned into the room—“do you think that her Majesty will have the courage to provoke a conflict with Drakovics. It will need a good deal of pluck.”
“She will not shrink from it,” was the emphatic reply. “She has gained remarkably in force of character of late, and her behaviour during this crisis has extorted universal admiration. She may not become more popular on account of her courage and tact, but she will be more respected. No; she will not fail us.”
“Ah, it is well to be assured of that,” said Cyril, and he changed the subject deftly. It was not until the footman had once more left them alone that he leaned back in his chair and remarked with a smile, “Well, my dear Prince, our business is done, and that without any complications or outside help.”
“To what are you alluding, Count?”
“To the necessity for allowing Drakovics to become aware of her Majesty’s attitude. That new man of mine is one of his spies—sent here to learn our plans. He has not discovered very much of them; but I hope he has heard enough about the Queen to bring about the explosion we want.”
“Then it is I who have committed the indiscretion?”
“Do not be so hasty, Prince. There is no indiscretion at all. You don’t imagine I would have allowed you to say anything important?”