“I never thought you a fool, my dear lady, but may I venture to suggest that you are somewhat foolhardy? The Colonel is not the type of man to take kindly to being blackmailed, you know.”

“I am not afraid of him,” she laughed. “There is only one man I have ever feared⁠—and he is dead.”

The man looked at her curiously. “Let us hope that he will not come to life again, then,” he remarked lightly.

“What do you mean?” cried the dancer sharply.

The count looked slightly surprised. “I only meant that a resurrection would be awkward for you,” he explained. “A foolish joke.”

She gave a sigh of relief. “Oh, no, he is dead all right. Killed in the war. He was a man who once⁠—loved me.”

“In South Africa?” asked the count negligently.

“Yes, since you ask it, in South Africa.”