Gradually I hinted that I knew the young Grand Duke. As I gained her
confidence further, I invented amorous affairs for him and hinted to
her about them. In this way I finally managed to induce her to talk.
Subtly I instilled a vague resentment against him, which was
accentuated by his non-appearance in London society up to now. His
Highness having been kept away by his Serene Uncle, the serene one
having been cautioned to do so by me.
Two months passed before I was invited to the lady's home in Mayfair
and by that time, partly because I pretended to know the young Grand
Duke, I was on a more intimate footing. I had learned that she had
met him at a hunting party at the Earl of Crewes' shooting box in
Shropshire. Later, she intimated that this was but their official
meeting and that their acquaintance actually dated from a mountain
trip she had taken to Switzerland, the universal playground of royalty
traveling _incog_. I learned too that her heavy bridge gambling had
cost her a lot of money.
The information that the lady was in debt did not come easily. To
obtain it, I had to work on her maid. Whenever the occasion arose, I
made it my business to tip the maid liberally. I contrived to do a
number of little things for her. Knowing the lady to be out, I called
at the house one day and while pretending to be waiting for my
hostess, I put some leading questions to the maid.
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