“So far as you are concerned, Duke,” the Prince said, “your responsibility ceases with ordinary membership.  You can take no count of anything beyond.  The time may come when the inner circle may be opened to you.”

The Duke coughed.

“You misapprehend me,” he said.  “I can assure you I am not anxious for promotion.  On the contrary, I stand before you an aggrieved person.  I have come to the conclusion that my house, and the shelter of my wife’s name, have been used for a plot, the main points of which have been kept wholly secret from me.”

The Prince flicked his cigarette ash into the grate.

“My dear Dorset,” he said gently, “if you will allow me to explain—­”

“I thank you, Saxe Leinitzer,” the Duke said coldly, “but it is beginning to occur to me that I have had enough of your explanations.  It seemed natural enough to me, and I must say well conceived, that some attempt should be made to modify the views of, if not wholly convert, Reginald Brott by means of the influence of a very charming woman.  It was my duty as a member of the Order to assist in this, and the shelter of my house and name were freely accorded to the Countess.  But it is news to me to find that she was brought here practically by force.  That because she was an inner member and therefore bound to implicit obedience that she was dragged away from her husband, kept apart from him against her will, forced into endeavours to make a fool of Brott even at the cost of her good name.  And now, worst of all, I am told that a very deeply laid plot on the part of some of you will compel her to leave England almost at once, and that her safety depends upon her inducing Reginald Brott to accompany her.”

“She has appealed to you,” the Prince muttered.

“She has done nothing so sensible,” the Duke answered drily.  “The facts which I have just stated are known to every one in this room.  I perhaps know less than any one.  But I know enough for this.  I request, Saxe Leinitzer, that you withdraw the name of myself and my wife from your list of members, and that you understand clearly that my house is to be no more used for meetings of the Society, formal or informal.  And, further, though I regret the apparent inhospitality of my action, my finger is now, as you see, upon the bell, and I venture to wish you all a very good-morning.  Groves,” he added to the servant who answered the door, “the Prince of Saxe Leinitzer’s carriage is urgently required.”

The Prince and Lady Carey descended the broad steps side by side.  She was laughing softly but immoderately.  The Prince was pale with fury.

“Pompous old ass,” he muttered savagely.  “He may have a worse scandal in his house now than he dreams of.”

She wiped her eyes.

“Have I not always told you,” she said, “that intrigue in this country was a sheer impossibility?  You may lay your plans ever so carefully, but you cannot foresee such a contretemps as this.”