The Lady in Blue by Fred M. White

It was with something more than pity in his heart that Kelso stood there watching the slim, shaking figure before him. Audrey Blair was paying a heavy price for that which, after all, was little more than vanity. He could see the same regret in Denver's eyes, a strange contrast to the cold, hard impassiveness of the strange woman, seated silently on the edge of her chair as if she belonged to another world. But it was no time to waste upon idle sentiment. Something would have to be done, and done at once.

"It is easy to be wise after the event," Denver said. "This is exactly what I expected. It is quite plain now how easy it is for Blanche Trevenner to laugh at you and defy us all. She knows perfectly well that the Grand Duke is more or less powerless. And that's not the worst of it. I am betraying no secret when I say that Miss Trevenner is in dire need of money. At the present moment she would do almost anything to obtain a few thousands. It won't be very long before that tiara is broken up and the stones sold separately. The Duke won't mind so very much because he will look to the elder Hermann to recoup him. We shall have to move very carefully indeed. It is perhaps fortunate that Blanche Trevenner does not know that she has two resolute men to deal with. She will count upon the probability of Mr. Reggie Hermann being afraid to take anybody into his confidence."