She felt it was to be a struggle between them, and she must be alert and persuasive, and match him word for word, move for move.
"I am happy to welcome you here, madame," he said in English.

"It is years since we met; yet time has passed you by." She flushed ever so slightly--compliment from Nahoum Pasha! Yet she must not resent anything to-day; she must get what she came for, if it was possible.

What had Lacey said?
"A few thousand men by parcel-post, and some red seals-British officers." "We meet under different circumstances," she replied meaningly.

"You were asking a great favour then." "Ah, but of you, madame ?" "I think you appealed to me when you were doubtful of the result." "Well, madame, it may be so--but, yes, you are right; I thought you were Claridge Pasha's kinswoman, I remember." "Excellency, you said you thought I was Claridge Pasha's kinswoman." "And you are not ?" he asked reflectively.
He did not understand the slight change that passed over her face.

His kinswoman--Claridge Pasha's kinswoman! "I was not his kinswoman," she answered calmly.