"Let me make the situation clear first, as I understand it, Monsieur," continued Bobby drily. "You are--and I mistake not--suggesting at the present moment that I should hand over the twenty-five millions to you, in order that you should take them yourself to the King in Paris, and by this act obtain not only favours from him, but probably a goodly share of the money, which you--presumably--will have forced some unknown highwayman to give up to you. Is that it?" "It was not money for myself I thought of, Sir," murmured St. Genis somewhat shamefacedly. "No, no, of course not," rejoined Clyffurde with a tone of sarcasm quite foreign to his usual easy-going good-nature. "You were thinking of the King's favours, and of a future of distinction and glory." "I was thinking chiefly of Crystal, Sir," said the other haughtily. "Quite so. You were thinking of winning Mlle. Crystal by a . . . a subterfuge." "An innocent one, Sir, you will admit. I should not be robbing you in any way. And remember that it is only Crystal's hand that is denied me: her love I have already won." A look of pain--quickly suppressed and easily hidden from the other's self-absorbed gaze--crossed the Englishman's earnest face. "I do remember that, Monsieur," he said, "else I certainly would never lend a hand in the . . . subterfuge." "You will do it then?" queried the other eagerly. "I have not said so." "Ah! but you will," pleaded Maurice hotly. "Sir! the eternal gratitude of two faithful hearts would be yours always--for Crystal will know it all, once we are married, I promise you that she will. And in the midst of her happiness she will find time to bless your generosity and your selflessness . . . whilst I . . ." "Enough, I beg of you, M. de St. Genis," broke in Clyffurde now, with angry impatience. "Believe me! I do not hug myself with any thought of my own virtues, nor do I desire any gratitude from you: if I hand over the money to you, it is sorely against my better judgment and distinctly against my duty: but since that duty chiefly lies in being assured that the King of France will receive the money safely, why then by handing it over to you I have that assurance, and my conscience will rest at comparative ease. You shall have the money, Sir, and you shall marry Mlle. Crystal on the strength of the King's gratitude towards you. And Mlle. Crystal will be happy--if you keep silence over this transaction. But for God's sake let's say no more about it: for of a truth you and I are playing but a sorry rôle this night." "A sorry rôle?" protested the other. "Yes, a sorry rôle. Are you not deceiving a woman? Am I not running counter to my duty?" "I but deceive Crystal temporarily. I love her and only deceive in order to win her. The end justifies the means: Nor do you, in my opinion, run counter to your duty. . . ."