The Princess looked at Armand and gave a faint shudder, but made no comment.
In a moment the maid returned. “It is as you wish, Monsieur le—Monsieur,” as the Archduke’s gesture stopped the title. “Madame awaits you at once.”
In the room adjoining the boudoir, the Archduke left the others and went in alone.
“Pray, madame,” said he, returning her greeting with the curtest of military salutes, “let us eliminate unnecessary ceremony—this is an official visit, made at your particular request; if we are ready to begin, I will call my witnesses.”
She watched him smilingly, pressing down the roses that lay across her breast—red roses, on a black gown that ended far below the dead-white neck and shoulders.
“What a cold-blooded brute you are, Armand,” she mocked. “Can it be, that the pretty, innocent, little doll, out yonder in the Palace, has found a drop that is warm even when fresh from the heart?”
“Madame, I have told you I am here for but one purpose; beyond that, even in conversation, I decline to go. I tried to make it clear to you at the Inn, how I would come, and why. I do not remember your record, nor even know your name; if I did, it would be my duty to send you immediately out of Valeria, and under escort. If, however, you presume to use this occasion to become offensive, I shall be obliged to remember, and to know.”
She laughed scoffingly, and taking a cigarette lighted it.
“As a token of peace,” she said softly, and proffered it to him.... “No?—I thought Ferdinand said he had learned it from you and—but, of course, it does make a difference whose are the lips that kissed it.”
The Archduke turned abruptly and went toward the door; another such word and he might forget she was a woman. She might be able to show him the Book, but, even could she give it to him, he would not have it, if its price were the Princess on her tongue.
“Armand!” she cried, “Armand! stay—I’ll be good—I’ll be good.”—She sprang forward and caught his arm—“Don’t go—think of what I can show you.”
“Then show it, madame,” he answered, facing her and so displacing her hand; “show it; and leave off personalities.”
Without replying, she went to a window, and drew the shade aside a little way.
“Yes, he is there,” she said, “but Bigler is with him ... ah! he is going—now, we shan’t have long to wait.”—She motioned the Archduke to her. “See—there shouldn’t be any doubt of the identification, if he give you a chance to see it.”