"
The forced urbanity which the Prince had assumed fell away from him
without warning. The tone of his reply was almost a sneer.
"I repeat," he said, "that I can recognise no conditions."
"It is perhaps," Mr. Sabin continued, "the wrong word to use. We
submit to your authority, but you and I are well aware that your
discretionary powers are large. I ask you to use them."
"And I," the Prince said, "refuse. Let me add that I intend to
prevent any recurrence of your little adventure of last night.
Lucille shall not see you again until her task is over. And as for
you, my dear Duke, I desire only your absence. I do not wish to
hurt your feelings, but your name has been associated in the past
with too many failures to inspire us with any confidence in engaging
you as an ally. Countess, a carriage from Dorset House awaits you."
But Lucille sat still, and Mr. Sabin rose slowly to his feet.
"I thank you, Prince," he said, "for throwing away the mask.
Fighting is always better without the buttons. It is true that I
have failed more than once, but it is also true that my failures
have been more magnificent than your waddle across the plain of life.
As for your present authority, I challenge you to your face that you
are using it to gain your private ends. What I have said to you I
shall repeat to those whose place is above yours.
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