"The news has only just come." "We will speak to her," the Prince said, "together." Afterwards in the library there was a sort of informal meeting, and their opportunity came.
"So you have failed, Countess," her host said, knitting his grey brows at her.
She smilingly acknowledged defeat.
"But I can assure you," she said, "that I was very near success.

Only on Monday he had virtually made up his mind to abandon the extreme party and cast in his lot with Letheringham.

What has happened to change him I do not know." The Prince curled his fair moustache.
"It is a pity," he said, "that he changed his mind.

For one thing is very certain.

The Duke and I are agreed upon it.