lephane smiled.

"Not at all," said she. "Diana is the one I was about to suggest."

"She may look the Diana," he replied, "but she's very far from a Diana,
believe me, very far indeed."

"I am quite ready to believe it, Mr. Harleston." She lowered her voice.
"I have much to tell you--and," with a quick look at him, "also
something to explain."

"Your explanation is not in the least necessary if it has to do with
anything Mrs. Spencer said."

"Under the circumstances I think I should be frank with you. Mrs.
Spencer said just enough to make you suspect me; then she dropped
it--and half a lie is always more insidious than the full truth."

"My dear Mrs. Clephane," he protested, "I assure you it is not
necessary--"

"Not necessary, if one is in the diplomatic profession," she cut in.
"Murder and assassination both of men and of reputation, seem to be a
portion of this horrible business, and perfectly well recognized as a
legitimate means to effect the end desired. I'm not in it--diplomacy, I
mean,--and I'm mighty thankful I'm not. Mrs. Spencer cold as ice, crafty
as the devil, beautiful as sin, and hard as adamant, knowing her Paris
and London and its scandals--I suppose she must know them in her
profession--instantly recognized me and placed me as Robert Clephane's
wife. For I am his wife--or rather his widow. I lied to her because I
didn't intend that she should have the gratification of seeing her play
win. She sought to distress and disconcert me, and to raise in your mind
a doubt of my motives and my story. It may be legitimate in diplomacy,
but it's dastardly and inhuman. 'Rumour also had it that he was none too
happy in his marriage, and that his Mrs. Clephane was something of the
same sort--she was of the type to make men's hearts flutter.' You see, I
recall her exact words. And what was I to do--"

"Just what you did do. You handled the matter beautifully."

"Thank you!" she smiled. "Yet she would win in the end--with almost any
other man than you. She plays for time; a very little time, possibly. I
don't know. I'm new in this business--and can't see far before me.
Indeed, I can't see at all; it's a maze of horrors. If I get out of this
mess alive, I'll promise never to get mixed in another."

"Why not quit right now, Mrs. Clephane?" Harleston suggested.

"I won't quit under fire--and with my mission unaccomplished. Moreover,
this Spencer gang have ruffled my temper--they have aroused my fighting
bloo