"It's none of my business, of course, Armand," he went on, "but, why
don't you run her out of the Kingdom, instead of keeping her in by
force."
"I'm waiting for her to get tired of the game and quit."
He thought a bit.
"Maybe, I can help you," he said.
I had not Lotzen's gift of imperturbability but I did my best not to
show my surprise.
"You are very kind," I answered; "though I don't see what you can do."
"I may take it you have no particular--regard for the lady?" he asked.
"Indeed, you may!"
"So you would have no objection to someone making a--try at her?"
"None whatever, I assure you. As many someones and as many tries as
you wish--and may they all win."
"Now, you're a trifle too generous," said he. "I've taken rather a shy
at her myself and--you understand?"
I thought I did--but not as he meant me to. What he wanted was liberty
to communicate, at will, directly with the lady, without arousing
suspicion or seeming to side against me.