"I am flattered," he murmured, smiling.

"I think that you should be," she asserted. "Personally, I do not
understand my uncle's attitude."

"With regard to me?"

"With regard to you."

"You think, perhaps, that I should not be permitted here at all as a
guest?"

"I do think that," she replied, looking steadily into his eyes. "I
think more than that. I think that your place is in Sing Sing prison."

The corners of his mouth twitched. His amusement maddened her; her eyes
flashed. Underneath her white satin gown her bosom was rising and
falling quickly.

He became suddenly grave.

"Do you take life seriously, Lady Elisabeth?" he asked.

"Certainly," she answered firmly. "I do not think that human life is a
thing to be trifled with. I agree with the Times."

"In what it said about me?"

"Yes!