"Please, Prince Koltsoff! Listen! You--since you have been willing to recall it to me--did take me in your arms." Indignation was rapidly mastering her. "I did not lead you to do it. I did not want you to. I am--not that kind. I was tired, weak in mind and body and, yes,--under your control, somehow. You took advantage of it. I didn't know then--I fancied it might be love, don't you know. I even asked you if it was--"
"You asked me. I replied. You did not deny."
"Not love!" Koltsoff moved close to her. "Then may I ask what it was? Surely you have not questioned _my_ motives?"
"No. If I had, you should have known it before this. My own motives, or rather, the lack of them--but we won't talk about it any more."
She made as though to step past him but he did not move.
"But you must talk about it," he said. "Are our relations thus to be brushed away--by misunderstanding? Anne, have I been utterly misled? What is it, Anne? I command you to speak."
"No, not until you have answered me." There was crisp savagery in his voice.
Anne, now trembling with anger, turned quickly upon him.
"Very well, I shall answer you. I don't love you and I can't love you and I won't love you. I resent your actions. You have been making this house headquarters for your diplomatic schemes and when they have gone astray, you have made us all the creatures of your irritable whims. You made me a laughing stock when you backed out of the theatre party, and have done nothing but consider your own convenience irrespective of any plans I may have formed for your entertainment. You were so disagreeable last night at dinner that I wept for very shame after it. And--and--now you have your answer."
For a moment Koltsoff stood erect, as though frozen by her words. Then he bent his head forward menacingly.
"We are not in Monaco--or Russia, Prince Koltsoff, but in the United States."
The next instant he was on his knees, his lips on the lace of her skirt.
"Please, Prince Koltsoff! Don't, please."
She glanced aside and saw the expansive white chest of Armitage bearing up the slight incline. "And now you must excuse me," she said, "my partner for the next dance claims me." She snatched away her skirt and walked rapidly to meet Jack, while Koltsoff gathered himself to his feet and cursed volubly in three languages.