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 time she was speaking with this cat-like softness I was racking my brains for the reason of her action.

"If you don't give me that key, I shall summon help and have the door beaten in," I answered. "I am in no mood for any theatrical display."

"I will make a bargain with you. To summon your servants and have to admit to them that you have been locked in by your own prisoner will make you very ridiculous. The strong, clever leader of this great movement caged by a woman! But I will not banter you, and will not make you even ridiculous. Listen to my reasons and you shall have the key. Refuse to listen, and do what you please. You shall not have it from me if I die in defending it. It will be quicker to listen."

"State them quickly. I will give you three minutes," I said, reflecting that what she said was true, and as blind as a fool of a bat to her real intent.

"I will put them very shortly," she answered, speaking in a slow, deliberate tone, altogether foreign to her usual habit. "You love the Princess and she loves you. You are angry with me because I have discovered your secret; but do you suppose that the Princess could endure that Bulgaria should think she decoyed me here that she might imprison me? That is what they would think first. But when the truth is known, as it must be some day, will her woman's heart bear the reproach that she imprisoned me because I surprised her and your secret and told you of it? Is your love so guilty a thing that the bare mention of it is a reason for consigning me to a prison unheard and untried? Is that how a pure Princess can start her reign? Is the avowal of such a love so base an act that anyone a witness of it must be hurried to a gaol to silence her? Think you these are means by which she will conciliate