with his almost inaudible laugh, "whatever it may be."

There was no foreboding in his voice; no second meaning in the
words. He was open and simple and practical, like the life he led.

"Then you have a part to play, too," said Desiree, thinking of
Charles, who had been called away at such an inopportune moment, and
had gone without complaint. "It is the penalty we pay for living in
one of the less dull periods of history. He touches your life too."

"He touches every one's life, mademoiselle. That is what makes him
so great a man. Yes. I have a little part to play. I am like one
of the unseen supernumeraries who has to see that a door is open to
allow the great actors to make an effective entree. I am lent to
Russia for the war that is coming. It is a little part. I have to
keep open one small portion of the line of communication between
England and St. Petersburg, so that news may pass to and fro."

He glanced towards Mathilde as he spoke. She was listening with an
odd eagerness which he noted, as he noted everything, methodically
and surely. He remembered it afterwards.

"That will not be easy, with Denmark friendly to France," said
Sebastian, "and every Prussian port closed to you."

"But Sweden will help. She is not friendly to France."

Sebastian laughed, and made a gesture with his white and elegant
hand, of contempt and ridicule.