Mrs.Assingham's rejoinder, at all events--however much or however little it was a choice--was presently a triumph.

"Speaking with this love of your own then, have you undertaken to convey to me that you believe your husband and your father's wife to be in act and in fact lovers of each other ?" And then as the Princess didn't at first answer: "Do you call such an allegation as that 'mild' ?" "Oh, I'm not pretending to be mild to you.

But I've told you, and moreover you must have seen for yourself, how much so I've been to them." Mrs.Assingham, more brightly again, bridled.

"Is that what you call it when you make them, for terror as you say, do as you like ?" "Ah, there wouldn't be any terror for them if they had nothing to hide." Mrs.Assingham faced her--quite steady now.

"Are you really conscious, love, of what you're saying ?" "I'm saying that I'm bewildered and tormented, and that I've no one but you to speak to.