Did your speech mean that you would not press the Egyptian Government to relieve Claridge Pasha at once ?" "Is that the conclusion you draw from my words ?" he asked.
"Yes; but I wish to know beyond doubt if that is what you mean the country to believe ?" "It is what I mean you to believe, my dear." She shrank from the last two words, but still went on quietly, though her eyes burned and she shivered.

"If you mean that you will do nothing, it will ruin you and your Government," she answered.

"Kimber was right, and--" "Kimber was inspired from here," he interjected sharply.
She put her hand upon herself.

"Do you think I would intrigue against you?
Do you think I would stoop to intrigue ?" she asked, a hand clasping and unclasping a bracelet on her wrist, her eyes averted, for very shame that he should think the thought he had uttered.
"It came from this house--the influence," he rejoined.
"I cannot say.

It is possible," she answered; "but you cannot think that I connive with my maid against you.