For a moment he hesitated.

Thus far, amused by her ignorant belief in herself, he had merely spoken in jest.

Now, for the first time, impressed by her irresistible earnestness, he began to consider what he was about from a more serious point of view.

With her knowledge of all that had passed in the old palace, before its transformation into an hotel, it was surely possible that she might suggest some explanation of what had happened to his brother, and sister, and himself.

Or, failing to do this, she might accidentally reveal some event in her own experience which, acting as a hint to a competent dramatist, might prove to be the making of a play.