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“And yet it is—very. You appear to know it as well as—as Europe or even Russia.”

“I explained last night that my father was a diplomatist, and I had advantages as a boy.”

“And how deftly you turn things. You might have been trained in a Court and picked up the facility there.”

The shooting of these little shafts amused her intensely, and the meal was punctuated with her laughter and sallies.

When it was over she led me to the garden, and then excused herself.

“I manage all my matters myself. I shall not be long, and then shall be at your service.”

“I must see you as soon as possible,” I said as she went off and Madame Korvata came out of the house smoking her cigarette. I lit a cigar, and the old lady waited and then said abruptly:

“I like your face, monsieur. You are like our Emperor. But how did you come to know Helga?”

The question was very simple, but yet embarrassing; and when I hesitated how to reply, she saw it and smiled.

“Don’t answer unless you like. I hate bothersome questions myself, and never press them. I always pretend never to hear them, indeed. A deaf ear saves a lot of trouble. You think Helga pretty?”