Chapter 16
FALKENBERG'S LAST EFFORT "Madame," Prince Falkenberg declared, with a formal bow, "I owe you a thousand apologies for this visit." Madame Christophor looked at him across the room, and in her eyes there was no welcome nor any anger--only surprise. "You break," she reminded him, "the word of a prince!" Falkenberg smiled icily. "There are cataclysms in life," he said, "whirlpools into which one may sometimes be drawn. One's will is overborne. I myself am in that unfortunate position." Madame Christophor looked steadfastly at her visitor. Was it her fancy or was he really growing older, this man of iron? The story of the last few weeks was written into his face, there were shadows under his eyes, a deep line across his forehead. "Since you are here, be seated," she invited, sinking her
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