As one resource, Lord Skye had bethought himself of Mrs.Lee, and he told the Princess the story of Mrs.Lee's relations with the President's wife, a story which was no secret in Washington, for, apart from Madeleine's own account, society was left in no doubt of the light in which Mrs.Lee was regarded by the mistress of the White House, whom Washington ladles were now in the habit of drawing out on the subject of Mrs.Lee, and who always rose to the bait with fresh vivacity, to the amusement and delight of Victoria Dare and other mischief-makers.
"She will not trouble you so long as you can keep Mrs.Lee in your neighbourhood," said Lord Skye, and the Princess accordingly seized upon Mrs.Lee and brandished her, as though she were a charm against the evil eye, in the face of the President's party.

She made Mrs.Lee take a place just behind her as though she were a lady-in-waiting.

She even graciously permitted her to sit down, so near that their chairs touched.
Whenever "that woman" was within sight, which was most of the time, the Princess directed her conversation entirely to Mrs.Lee and took care to make it evident.

Even before the Presidential party had arrived, Madeleine had fallen into the Princess's grasp, and when the Princess went forward to receive the President and his wife, which she did with a bow of stately and distant dignity, she dragged Madeleine closely by her side.

Mrs.Lee bowed too; she could not well help it; but was cut dead for her pains, with a glare of contempt and hatred.