And she responded nobly; and I marvelled at her staying powers—­at Lord Radnor’s fortitude through so many years—­at Lady Helen being the child of such a mother.  But, all the time, I was conscious of Lotzen waiting—­waiting—­waiting.  I could hear his voice and Lady Helen’s merry laugh, yet I knew nothing but the ending of the supper and the breaking of the party, with Lady Radnor still riding her hobby, would save me from the question.  I threw in another remark to keep her going.  It was fatal.

Lord Radnor heard it; and, catching his wife’s reply, I saw him frown.

“Lord bless us!” he exclaimed to the Princess and Courtney, “we must rescue His Highness—­Lady Radnor is on the Tenement problem.”

I tried to signal Courtney to keep Radnor occupied; but he did not understand, and only smiled and whispered something to the Princess.  Then Lord Radnor caught his wife’s eye and the old lady’s discourse ended abruptly.

“I fear I weary Your Royal Highness,” she said.

“On the contrary, I am deeply interested,” I assured her.  “Pray continue.”

Her glance wandered eagerly across the table, but she got no encouragement from the Ambassador.

“Your Highness is very gracious,” she said, “and, sometime, if you are so minded, I shall gladly show you the late reports from the London Society.”

I dared not urge her further; Lord Radnor would have suspected me of making sport of his wife.  So I cudgelled my brain for some other subject to talk up with her.  Of course, I failed to find it instantly, and, in the momentary silence, Lotzen’s opportunity came.

“Armand,” he said, leaning a bit forward, “Lady Helen and I have been discussing the woman in black, yonder—­the pretty one.  We take her to be an American—­what is your opinion?”

The whole table heard the question, and every one looked at the lady—­either immediately or when they could do it with proper discretion.

“You mean the woman with the elderly couple, just near us?” I asked, glancing thither, and so on around to the Princess, who met me with a smile.

“The same,” said Lotzen.

“You’re quite right,” said I; “she is an American.”

“You know her?” he asked.

“I used to know her.”

He hesitated a moment—­and, of course, everyone waited.  “Couldn’t you still know her enough to present me?” he asked.

I shook my head.  “You would be most unfortunate in your sponsor,” I answered.

He smiled indulgently.  “I’ll risk it,” he said.

“But, maybe, I won’t,” I answered.

His smile broadened.  “Come, come, cousin mine,” he said; “don’t be selfish with the lady.”

I smiled blandly back at him, though my hand itched to strike him in the face.

“My dear Duke,” I said, “you forget I may not yet have had time to acquire certain of the—­dilettante accomplishments of Royalty.”