in the particular business."

"Again I'm well content to be simply an ordinary woman, whose chief
delight and occupation is clothes and the wearing of clothes."

"You're a success at your occupation," Harleston replied.

"Some there are who would not agree with you," she replied. "However, we
are straying from the question before us, which is: what shall I do
about informing the Marquis d'Hausonville? Will you go with me?"

"My going with you would only complicate matters for you. The Marquis
would instantly want to know what such a move on my part meant. I'm
known to be in the secret service of the United States, you must
remember. Furthermore your tale will accuse me of the taking of the
letter--and you see the merry mess which follows. I cannot return the
letter--it's in possession of the State Department. I'm far
transgressing my duty by disclosing anything as to the letter. Indeed,
I'm liable to be disciplined most drastically, even imprisoned, should
it chance that the United States was involved."

"You've told me nothing more than you've already told the Spencer
crowd," she objected.

"The difference is that the Spencer crowd are trying to obtain something
to which they haven't the least right--and I'm playing the game against
them. You see my peculiar position, Mrs. Clephane. I've told you what I
shouldn't, because--well, because I'm sure that you will not use it to
my disadvantage."