Indeed you are. I suppose you do not trust me. Yet
reflect Have I ever told you anything that was not true? Have I
ever tried to deceive you? I don't pretend to be a paragon of the
virtues. I live my life to please myself. I admit it. Why not?
It is simply applying the same sort of philosophy to my life as
you have applied to yours. My enemies can find plenty to say about
me--but never that I have been false to a friend. Why do you keep
me always at arm's length, as though I were one of those who wished
you evil?"
"Lady Carey," Mr. Sabin said, "I will not affect to misunderstand
you, and I am flattered that you should consider my good will of
any importance. But you are the friend of the Prince of Saxe
Leinitzer. You are one of those even now who are working actively
against me. I am not blaming you, but we are on opposite sides."
Lady Carey looked for a moment across at the Prince, and her eyes
were full of venom.
"If you knew," she murmured, "how I loathe that man. Friends! That
is all long since past. Nothing would give me so much pleasure as
never to see his face again."
"Nevertheless," Mr. Sabin reminded her, "whatever your private
feelings may be, he has claims upon you which you cannot resist."
"There is one thing in the world," she said in a low tone, "for
which I would risk even the abnegation of those claims.
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