"The Emperor has already learnt that I know the truth regarding his secret," was her slow reply. "By what means His Majesty has discovered it, I, alas! know not. But I do know from a confidential quarter that I have incurred the Emperor's gravest displeasure and hatred."
"Who is your informant?" I inquired sternly, eager to further investigate the great intrigue.
"A certain person who must be nameless."
"Have you spoken to anybody of the Emperor's secret plans in Turkey, or of his possession of the Empress Catherine's jewels?"
"I have not uttered a word to a single soul except my husband. I swear it."
"Your husband was extremely indiscreet in revealing anything," I declared again quite frankly.
"I fully admit that. But what can I do? How shall I act?" she asked in a low, tense voice. "Advise me, do."
For some moments I remained silent. The situation, with a pretty woman seeking my aid in such circumstances, was difficult.
"Well, Madame," I replied after reflection, "if you are really ready to promise the strictest secrecy and leave the matter to me, I will endeavour to find a way out of the difficulty—providing you—good German that you are by marriage—will take, before the Emperor himself, an oath of complete secrecy?"
"I am ready to do anything—anything for my dear husband's sake," the handsome young woman assured me, tears welling in her fine dark eyes.