But you didn't know about the woman, dear Alec,' said Danny Hislop at supper that night, when Lymond had walked down to his horse and departed. 'Nobody told us about the woman. Guzel. The Mistress. What if they have a tiff and she withdraws all her assets before the Tsar has decided to keep us? What,' said Danny dreamily, 'if she takes against our coarse ways when she meets us? Or decides she'd prefer one of us to sweet Francis?... Jesus?... Sir?