"You paint her very dark, dear."
"Listen," I said. "She was the wife of Colonel Spencer of the American Army. He married her, one summer, in Paris, where he had gone to meet her upon her graduation from a convent school. She was his ward--the child of the officer who had been his room-mate at the Point. Within two years Colonel Spencer was dead--broken-hearted; a wealthy Lieutenant of his regiment had been cashiered and had shot himself after she had plucked him clean. Since then, she has lived in the odor of eminent respectability; yet, as I know, always waiting for a victim--and always having one. Money is her G.o.d."
"And, yet, there seems to be nothing in her appearance to suggest such viciousness," said Dehra.
"Nothing," I said; "and, hence, her danger and her power."
"You knew her when she was Colonel Spencer"s wife?"
"I met her at the Post where he commanded--and, later, I saw her in Washington and New York. She had been in Pittsburgh for several months before I left--angling for some of the _nouveaux riches_, I fancy.
There was plenty of gossip of her in the Clubs; though I, alone, I think, know her true history."
"And you did not warn anyone of her?"
"So long as she let my friends alone I cared not what pigeon she plucked. And the very fact that she knew I was in Pittsburgh, was enough to make her shy of anyone I would likely care for."
Dehra laughed lightly. "Maybe you were a little bit afraid of her, yourself," she said.
"Maybe I was," I admitted; "for she has a fascination almost irresistible--when she choose to exert it."
Dehra looked at me steadily.
I understood.
"Yes," said I, "she has made a try at me; once in New York; again, and only recently, in Pittsburgh. I escaped both times, thank G.o.d."
"She may make another try at you here."
I laughed. "She failed twice in America; she can scarcely win in Dornlitz when you are beside me."
"But I"m not always beside you," she objected.
"Not physically," I said.
"What chance would a mentality have against that woman"s actual presence?" she asked.
"It would depend entirely on the man, and I am immune--thanks to Spencer"s dead face and your sweet one."
Dehra smiled brightly. "Spencer"s dead face is a mentality infinitely more potent than my living one; but I think the two should hold you.
Yet, I hate that woman yonder. I believe she has dared to follow you here."
I shook my head. "Never in my life have I used words to woman such as I used to her in Pittsburgh. Oh, no, she has not followed me."
"Then, why is she here--so soon after your coming?" Dehra persisted.
"Why do thousands visit Dornlitz every month?" I asked.
"She is no casual visitor."
"Very likely," I agreed. "Madeline Spencer is not the sort to do casual travelling. She has an object--but it is not I."
"I wish I could feel secure of it."
"Do you mean it"s I you doubt, dear?" I asked.
She gave me her sweetest smile. "I shall doubt you, Armand, only when you yourself order me to--and, even then, I may disregard the order."
Before such love a man falls abject in his absolute unworthiness.
"I don"t deserve such trust, sweetheart," I answered humbly--and I think my voice broke in the saying.
"I"ll risk it," she replied. "If I were as sure that woman"s presence meant no harm to you I would be altogether easy."
"What harm could she possibly do to an Archduke of Valeria?" I laughed.
"None that I can imagine, I admit--unless she seek to discredit you with the King."
"But from what possible motive?"
"Revenge for your double scorning of her."
I laughed. "Madame Spencer has no time for such foolishness as revenge."
"I hope you may be right, dear; but a woman"s intuition bids you to beware."
"Would you like to have the authorities look into her business here?" I asked.
"Yes, I surely would."
Just then Major Moore entered. I motioned him forward.
"Everything is arranged for on the Garden as Your Highness ordered," he reported.
I thanked him. "One thing more, Major," I said. "My compliments to the senior officer of the Secret Police on duty here to-night, and ask him to send me, in the morning, a full report on the parties occupying the third box on the right in this row. And do you take a good look at them yourself; it may be well for you to know their faces."
"What a satisfactory Aide," said Dehra. "His eyes didn"t even waver toward that other box."
"Not only that," I answered; "but, when Moore does do his looking, those in that box won"t know it, you may be sure."
Then the bells rang for the last act--and the Radnors and Courtney were announced.
XIV
THE WOMAN IN BLACK