Clementina - Page 175/200

"Prove it me," said she.

"What do you know of the Princess Caprara at the end of it all? You

have told me this morning all you know. I will go bail if the whole

truth were out the matter would take a very different complexion."

Again she said,-"Prove that to me!" and then she looked over his shoulder. Wogan turned

and saw that a servant was coming from the house across the lawn with a

letter on a salver. The Princess opened the letter and read it. Then she

turned again to Wogan.

"His Eminence the Cardinal fixes the marriage in Bologna here for to-day

fortnight. You have thus two weeks wherein to make your word good."

Two weeks, and Wogan had not an idea in his head as to how he was to set

about the business. But he bowed imperturbably.

"Within two weeks I will convince your Highness," said he, and for a

good half-hour he sauntered with her about the garden before he took his

leave.