"Mademoiselle is pleased to ridicule."
"And monsieur is pleased to affect ignorance."
"Of what?" I asked.
"When did your Knaveship come to Dornlitz?"
"Very recently."
"You must be a very stupid--diplomat."
"I am," I agreed.
"Do you know the 'American Archduke,' as you call him?"
"Very slightly," said I.
"Doubtless you would rather know his wife," she said naïvely.
"Then you think he is married?" I asked.
"Of course, monsieur--so does everyone--don't you?"
"No," said I. "I don't."
She laughed. "You mean you don't want to think so,----madame is very
beautiful--_n'est ce pas_?"
"Do you know her?" I asked evasively.
"No, monsieur; do you?"
"I have met her."
"Oh! Oh!" she exclaimed. Then she looked at me quickly. "I thought
she received no visitors."
I shrugged my shoulders. "The lady does not interest me," I said; "let
us talk of something else."
"Of the American Archduke, then," she suggested.
"Why not of yourself?" I urged.
"I am only a Masque--the American may be a King."
"Not likely," I scoffed.
"Are you for Lotzen?" she demanded.
"Diplomats are neutral," said I; "but, _entre nous_, I have become
rather interested in the American."
"So have I," said she. "He is very handsome."
"Thank you," I said, involuntarily.
She stopped and looked at me. I was glad, indeed, for the mask.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Would you mind repeating that last remark?" she said.