If I choose for her side--she promises me--reward. But
it is vague to me. I don't, I can't understand! I want her for my
wife, I want her for the rest of my life--nothing else. Tell me,
is there any barrier to this? There are no complications in her
life which I do not know of? I want your assurance. I want her
promise. You understand me?"
"Yes, I understand you," the Prince said gravely. "I understand
more than you do. I understand Lucille's position."
Brott leaned forward with bright eyes.
"Ah!"
"Lucille, the Countess of Radantz, is at the present moment a
married woman."
Brott was speechless. His face was like a carved stone image,
from which the life had wholly gone.
"Her husband--in name only, let me tell you, is the Mr. Sabin
with whom we had supper this evening."
"Great God!"
"Their marriage had strange features in it which are not my concern,
or even yours," the Prince said deliberately. "The truth is, that
they have not lived together for years, they never will again, for
their divorce proceedings would long ago have been concluded but
for the complications arising from the difference between the
Hungarian and the American laws. Here, without doubt, is the reason
why the Countess has hesitated to pledge her word directly."
"It is wonderful," Brott said slowly.
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