“I am ignorant of the reasons. I only know the broad facts.”
“But the Doctor had retired from active political life long ago! He told me one day how tired he was of the eternal bickerings of the Skuptchina.”
“Of course he had ostensibly retired, but he secretly directed the policy of the present Government. In all serious matters King Peter still consults him.”
“And that is why you have brought me into the privacy of these gardens, Miss Lorena—to tell me this!” he laughed, bending to her and drawing a semi-circle in the gravel with the point of his stick.
“No,” she replied sharply, with just a little frown of displeasure. “You do not understand me, Mr Rolfe. Have I not said, a few moments ago, that I wanted to be your friend?”
“You are a most delightful little friend,” was his courteous reply.
“Ah! I see. You treat me as a child,” was her rather impatient reply. “You are not serious.”
“I am most serious,” he declared, with a solemn face. “Indeed, I was never more serious in my life than I am at this moment.”
She burst out laughing—a peal of light, merry, irresponsible, girlish laughter.