t, whenever I speak
of my husband, I mean you."

"I take it, we may also assume that you did not seek such admission to
me for the sole pleasure of looking at me?" I said.

"Quite right, Armand; though there was a time--and not so long
ago--when we both were more than glad to look at each other.--And,
maybe, I have not changed." And she leaned forward and smiled with the
frankness of a sweet-faced child.

I made a gesture of repugnance.

"For Heaven's sake, madame, lay aside this simulated sentiment and be
good enough to come to the point."

"The point?--the point?" she replied absently. "True, I was
forgetting--the sight of you, dear, always stirs me so. I came here
very angry with you, and, now, I have almost forgiven you."

I put my finger on the electric button, and Colonel Moore responded.

"Mrs. Spencer desires her carriage," I said.

She gave him one of her sweetest smiles.

"It's too bad, Colonel Moore, that I am always imposed upon you when
your chief sends me from his august presence;" and she held out her
hand to him.

Moore's bow over it was positively blarneying in its deference.

"It is a great pleasure, I assure you," he said.

She shook her head at him.

"Rather _double entendre_, Colonel."

"Madame knows it was not so meant," was the quick reply.

She gave him a glance of amused indifference; then arose.

"And Your Royal Highness does not wish to hear my particular errand?"
she said.

"No more than before you--entered," I replied.

"Intruded, you mean."

"Possibly, that would be more accurate," I admitted.

She gave a sarcastic laugh.

"Your royalty seems to have been fatal to your courtesy."

"At least, there is one particular instance in which it seems to have
increased my forbearance."

She gathered up her skirts, as though to go--then turned.

"And that instance is myself?" she asked.

"Your intuition is marvellous," I replied.

She sat down on the chair arm.

"But, why do you forbear, my dear?" she said. "If I am not your wife,
why don't you do something to prove it?"

"What, for example?" I inquired.

She shrugged her shoulders. "How ingenious you are, Armand! You would
even have me believe that, having decided to deny me, you did not,
also, arrange how to proceed when I appeared."

"My dear Mrs. Spencer, I said, the other night, that you were a great
actress; permit me to repeat it."

"It is very easy to act the truth, Armand," she answered.

"And