"Why should such an accomplished--diplomat want to injure me with you?"
she asked.

"She was not seeking to injure you in the sense that you imply," he
returned. "Her purpose was to put you in the same class as herself, so
that I should trust you no more than I do her; to make you appear an
emissary of France, in its secret service, playing the game of ignorance
and inexperience for its present purpose. For you, as a personality she
does not care a fig. To her you are but one of the pieces, to be moved
or threatened as her purpose dictates. In the diplomatic game, my lady,
we know only one side--all other sides are the enemy; and nothing, not
even a woman's reputation, is permitted to stand for an instant in the
way of attaining our end."

"Therefore a good woman--or one who would forget the past--has no
earthly business to become involved in the game," Mrs. Clephane
returned. "I shall get out of it the instant this matter of the letter
is completed--and stay out thereafter. Even friendship won't lure me to
it. Never again, Mr. Harleston, never again for mine!"

"I wish you would let it end right now," he urged.

"That wouldn't be the part of a good sport, nor would it be just to
Madame Durrand. She trusts me."

"Then inform the French Ambassador of all the facts and circumstances
and retire from the game," he advised.

"Shall I inform him over the telephone?" she asked.