"Remember that I am here to watch and to report.

It is not for me to make decisions." "Then for whom else ?" he demanded.

"Paul Matinsky himself wrote me that you had his entire confidence--that you possessed full powers for action.

You will not be faint-hearted, Naida ?" "I shall never be false to my convictions," she replied.
There was a brief silence.

He was not altogether satisfied, but he judged the moment unpropitious for any further reference to the coming of Prince Shan.
"My plans, as you see, are changed," he said at last, "and for that reason a promise which I made to myself will not now be kept." She rose to her feet a little uneasily, shook out her fluffy morning gown, and retreated towards the door leading to the apartments beyond.
He watched her without movement.