The bright look she gave me signalled absolution. "Let us start with this absolute condition--that my father’s pardon must be obtained and Chalice’s future made secure."
"I accept the conditions and still believe I can win." Her eyes flashed a question. "No, you need not doubt my discretion this time," I said in reply to the look. "I have learnt my lesson. But I cannot tell you all about it."
"I should like to know. I am very much of a woman in my curiosity. Besides, I should like to have firm ground for the hopes you raise."
"Suspense is not measured by hours, Mr. Bastable."
"I would lessen it if I could; but at any rate I can assure you my own suspense will not be less than yours," I said earnestly.
She let her eyes fall. Whether she guessed something of the feeling that lay behind my words I could not tell. But after a pause which was embarrassing to us both, she lifted her head and looked frankly into my eyes.
"I know I have your sympathy--as a friend, Mr. Bastable," she said simply, with a stress on the word.
"It is as a friend I speak. And because of that friendship I ask you not to take any step in regard to this monstrous proposal of your marriage with von Felsen until I have had time to see the result of this effort of mine."
"I will never take any step at all about it unless there is no other alternative, and not even then without telling you. I give you that promise freely."
"It is a bargain, and I can ask no more than that."
"Tell me again about Chalice," she said. I repeated all that had passed and we discussed the position fully. "I have never quite understood Chalice," she said slowly. "You think she does not care for the Prince?"
"If so, would she be willing to give him up to secure even such a first appearance as is offered to her?"
"I think there are many reasons why she should do it. The Kaiser is only a man after all, and a very impulsive one at that. He is quite likely to be so charmed by the apparently spontaneous compliance with his wishes as well as delighted by the removal of the obstacle to this Imperial marriage project, as to promote her at once to the position of a Court favourite. And in that event you need have no fears about your father."
"There is the Count von Felsen to reckon with."