"I a.s.sume you lay no claims to even ordinary saintship?"
"None, whatever, my dear Duke."
"Possibly, you avoided situations which might put you to the test?"
"Possibly," I laughed.
"You are more of a Saint than you imagine," he answered.
I shook my head.
"Colonel Spencer was my friend," I said.
"And his wife--and widow would have been--yours--and you would not; _n"est ce pas_?"
I smiled.
"So, that"s the motive for it, is it. "h.e.l.l hath no fury like a woman scorned,"" he quoted. It was meant as a question, however.
I appeared to hesitate.
"Revenge, sometimes, does take queer forms," I said tentatively.
"And you, too, think this is revenge?" he asked.
"What other motive could she have?" I answered.
He closed his eyes, a moment; lest, I suppose, his amused contempt would shine out so plainly that even stupid I would see it. He was sure, now, he had been right in deeming me too heavy-witted to suspect him.
"It might be blackmail," he suggested.
"Then, she is a very long time in naming her price," I replied.
"True; but, maybe, she is enjoying Dornlitz," he laughed.
I laughed, too.
"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 a.s.sure 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.
I shut one eye, and looked at him as though in sly comprehension.
"But, how will that help me?" I asked.
"In this way," said he. "You think she is tired of her game and about ready to quit. I come along; and she tosses you over and seizes the new prey. I"ll tell her plainly she cannot have me so long as there is any question about her being your wife."
"But, won"t it raise a nasty scandal?" I objected.
"Not a bit," he said, with a knowing smile. "We have ways to do such things, you know. I have a Chateau near the French Border--the lady leaves for Paris--and goes by way of the Chateau. _Comprenez vous_?"
I wanted to laugh in his face. What a charming scheme to get Mrs.
Spencer out of the Kingdom!
"But, suppose," said I, "she cuts the Chateau and keeps right on to Paris?"
"Trust me, my dear Marshal, she won"t cut the Chateau. I shall be with her when she leaves Dornlitz."
"I know the lady," said I. "I"m afraid to risk it."
He tossed aside his cigar and lit a fresh one. "Very well, cousin," he said, with an air of good-natured indifference. "It"s your affair, of course. I only wanted to aid you in any way I could. You"re the best judge, however, how to handle the matter. If you need me, I am yours to command."
"My dear Duke," I said, "I realize your friendly spirit and I want you to know I appreciate it; and I shall not hesitate to call on you if the occasion arise."
He flung his cape around him and hooked up his sword.
"And, in the meantime, do I understand that I am to keep severely away from the lady?"
I hesitated. Of course his point was to obtain from me direct authority for him to visit her. The very fact that he wanted it was a sufficient reason for refusing; but, on the other hand, so long as he thought himself unsuspected, it might not be a bad move to give him the opportunity. It would increase the chances for them to make a blunder.
I determined to risk it.
"The only restriction, touching Mrs. Spencer, is the order of the Military Governor," I answered. "If you can induce her to acknowledge the falsity of that certificate, she shall be free to resume her journey to the Devil, _via_ your Chateau, and joy go with her."
He flung back his head and laughed heartily.
"A trifle hard on my Chateau, cousin, to locate it on the road to h.e.l.l.
But we will let it pa.s.s. For, between us, it is a good road and an easy; and they, who travel it, are a finer lot than the superst.i.tious dreamers who grope, in darkness, along the bleak and stony path they fancy leads upward to the Light."