"He can be a prince and wealthy, if he chooses to be reconciled with the Russian authorities." "Even then, Leah, do you really like this man?" "As a clever doctor and an amusing talker--yes. Well?" Frith, baffled and perplexed, bit his finger again. "He is devoted to you; they talk of it at the clubs. No, no," hurriedly, as she turned crimson with indignation; "there's not a word said against you. But this absurd infatuation--and you a widow; these foreigners go to ridiculous lengths, so you see----" "I certainly do not see," interrupted Leah, with conviction. "Did you offer assistance so that you might meddle?" "Oh no, no," protested the Marquis, looking shocked; "but you have behaved so well as Jim's wife----" "That is the third time you have said so, and I am by no means stupid. It seems to me," she looked straight at him, "that you believe M. Demetrius will ask me to marry him." "Yes, I do think so." "Will it ease your mind if I say that I have no intention of accepting any impertinent proposal he may make?" "It will and it does," said Frith, bluntly. "I should not like to see you throw yourself away on that man. Should you marry again----" "It will be entirely my own affair." "Of course, of course. All the same----" "Quite so! Good-day, Lord Frith." He smiled grimly, seeing that she would not permit him to finish a single sentence. "Am I to take your use of my title as an intimation that we are to be strangers?" "To the extent of supervision, yes." "But you can't manage things unaided." "That also is my business. As your interference is concerned with M. Demetrius, and I have set your mind at rest on that point, there is no more to be said." "As you please. Still, this Demetrius----" "Oh, Demetrius," she echoed, enraged by this parrot repetition. "I never wish to hear his name or set eyes on his face again." This was true enough. Now that the Russian had served her turn he could go hang; she had no further use for him, and he could whistle for his well-earned wages. When Frith, after further interrupted expostulations, took his leave, Lady Jim sat down, chin on hand, to consider this town-talk. The love-sick babbling of Demetrius troubled her little. No scandal could attach to a Diana who never hunted the noble quarry, man; and Leah was such a known lover of herself that even scandal refrained from giving her a rival. Still, the Russian was pertinacious, and could be vindictive; he had fulfilled her bidding for a certain price, and that price he would assuredly demand. Make him her second husband she would not. He belonged to Katinka, who could keep him and welcome. The remembrance of the daughter suggested the useful father.