Our friend is
very clever, but he can do no harm with the little that he knows of the
Charity League."
Etta remained silent. The silence made Steinmetz frown.
"Princess," he said gravely, "you were indignant just now because I made
so bold as to put the most natural construction upon the circumstances
in which I found you. It was a prearranged meeting between De Chauxville
and yourself. If the meeting was not the outcome of an intrigue such as
I mentioned, nor the result of this man's hold over you on account of
the Charity League, what was it? I beg of you to answer."
Etta made no reply. Instead, she raised her eyes and looked at De
Chauxville.
"Without going into affairs which do not concern you," said the
Frenchman, answering for her, "I think you will recognize that the
secret of the Charity League was quite sufficient excuse for me to
request a few minutes alone with the princess."
Of this Steinmetz took no notice. He was standing in front of Etta,
between De Chauxville and the door. His broad, deeply lined face was
flushed with the excitement of the moment. His great mournful eyes,
yellow and drawn with much reading and the hardships of a rigorous
climate, were fixed anxiously on her face.
Etta was not looking at him. Her eyes were turned toward the window, but
they did not see with comprehension.
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