She again laid her hand on his with an imploring gesture. He was silent.

“You want to know who it was? It was⁠—the Emperor.”

“We all love him. I can imagine you, a schoolgirl at the Institute⁠ ⁠…”

“No, it was later. I was infatuated, but it passed⁠ ⁠… I must tell you⁠ ⁠…”

“Well, what of it?”

“No, it was not simply⁠—” She covered her face with her hands.

“What? You gave yourself to him?”

She was silent.

“His mistress?”

She did not answer.