Now that even the newspapers are
aware of Max's--and Adrienne's--connection with Ruvania, do you still
think it necessary that I, his wife, should be kept in the dark?"
"The newspapers?" Olga spoke with sudden excitement. "How much do they
know? What do they say? . . . After all, though," she added more
quietly, "it doesn't much matter--now. Everything is settled--for good
or ill. But if the papers had got hold of it sooner--"
"Well?" queried Diana coolly, intent on driving her into giving up her
knowledge. "What if they had?"
Olga surveyed her ironically.
"What if they had? Only that, if they had, probably you wouldn't have
possessed a husband a few hours later. A knife in the back is a quick
road out of life, you know."
Diana caught her breath, and her self-command gave way suddenly.
"For God's sake, what do you mean? Tell me--you must tell
me--everything, everything! I can't bear it any longer. I know too
much--" She broke off with a dry, choking sob.
Olga's face softened.
"You poor child!" she muttered to herself. Then, aloud, she said gently:
"Tell me--how much do you know?"
With an effort Diana mastered herself again.
"I know Max's parentage," she began steadily.
"You know that?"--with quick surprise.
"Yes. And that he has a sister."
Olga nodded, smiling rather oddly.
"Yes. He has a sister," she admitted.
"And that he is involved in Ruvanian politics.
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