His expression changed instantly.  “I beg your pardon, Armand,” he said, “I was only joking.”

I saw Courtney glance at Lady Helen and slowly shut one eye.  He knew, as did I, that Lotzen lied.

“There is naught to pardon, cousin,” I said.  “We both were joking.”

Then Lady Helen came to my relief.

“But there is considerable for Her Royal Highness and me to pardon,” she said.

“Yes,” said I, “there is.”

“I take all the blame,” Lotzen interrupted.  “I alone am guilty; proceed with the judgment.”

“What shall it be?” said Lady Helen to the Princess.

Dehra shrugged her pretty shoulders and raised her hands expressively.

“The only punishment that fits the crime is to deprive the Duke of Lotzen of all wine for the rest of the evening.”

It seemed to me the Duke winced.

“Your Highness is severe,” he said.

She looked him straight in the eyes.  “On the contrary, cousin, I am kind to put it so—­and you know it.”

But Lotzen’s equanimity was not to be disturbed.  He smiled with engaging frankness.

“The Queen can do no wrong,” he said, and bowed over the table.

Just then, Madeline Spencer arose and I breathed a sigh of relief—­she was going.  The next instant I almost gasped.  Instead of going, she came swiftly toward us—­passed the low bank of plants—­and straight to me.

I arose—­all the men arose—­and bowed stiffly.  She hesitated and seemed a bit embarrassed—­then, suddenly, held out her hand to me.

“I am afraid, Armand,” she said, “you are not glad to see me.”

Armand!  Armand!  Lord, what nerve!  A rush of sharp anger almost choked me, yet I tried to look at her only in calm interrogation.

“I think, Mrs. Spencer,” I said, just touching her hand, “almost every man is glad to see a pretty woman.”

She gave me a look of surprise; then, threw up her head, disdainfully.

“You called me ’Mrs. Spencer’?” she asked.

I looked at her in surprise.  “I was not aware you had changed your name,” I answered.

She took a step backward.  “You were not aware of what?” she exclaimed.

“That you were no longer Mrs. Spencer,” I said—­a trifle curtly, maybe.  I thought she was playing for a presentation to the Princess and I had no intention of gratifying her, even if I had to be rude to her deliberately.

She passed her hand across her brow and stared at me incredulously.  I turned half aside and glanced around the table.  Every face but three showed blank amazement.  Of those three, the Princess’s wore a tolerant smile; Lotzen’s a frown; but Courtney’s was set in almost a sneer.  And, at it, I marvelled.  Later, I understood; he had, by some queer intuition, guessed what was to follow.

When I came back to Mrs. Spencer her expression had changed.  The incredulous look was gone; bright anger flamed, instead.