n girl of rational age and plenty of dollars?"

"A rational age?"

"Over eighteen, anyhow. I believe you Latins have a fancy for these little
white _ingenues_, who don't know which side their bread's buttered, or how
to say anything but 'Yes, please,' and 'No, thank you.' When my time
comes, the girl must be twenty-two and a good, patriotic American."

"American girls are fascinating, but I happen to be in love with an
English one, and it's her misfortune and mine, not our fault, that she's
eighteen instead of twenty-two."

"A big misfortune. You mustn't kidnap an infant. That's what makes it
awkward. As I said, you can't back out now."

"Not while I live."

"Don't be so Spanish. But come to think of it, I suppose you can't help
that. What do you mean to do next?"

"Watch. And get word to Monica."

"Angele de la Mole will do what she can for you."

"I hope so. Then everything else must depend on the girl."

Dick's lean, tanned face was half quizzical, half sad.

"Everything else must depend on the girl," he repeated. "I wonder what
would happen if anybody tried to prop up a hundred pound weight against a
lilybud?"

V

A MYSTERY CONCERNING A CHAUFFEUR

For many days after this the young King of Spain motored back and forth
between San Sebastian and Biarritz to visit the lady of his love; but at
last the two Princesses bade good-bye to the Villa Mouriscot, and went to
Paris. Lady Vale-Avon and Monica remained; but for the moment the girl was
safe from Carmona, for the Duke followed the King to Madrid.

Lovely as Monica was, is, and always will be, and genuinely in love with
her as I had no doubt Carmona was, still I began to believe that Dick
Waring was right, and that the Duke's desire to win Princess Ena's friend
was as much for Court favour as for the girl herself. Several weeks
passed, and Monica and her mother continued to be tenants of the Villa
Esmeralda. They went out little, except to visit the old Duchess of
Carmona, who evidently did all she could to advance her son's interests
with invitations to luncheons and dinners; but try as I might I was never
able to obtain an interview.

Fortunately for me, Lady Vale-Avon had seen me only in fancy dress; the
costume of Romeo, with a ridiculous yellow-brown, wavy wig, upon which the
_costumier_ had insisted against my arguments. Now, I blessed him for his
obstinacy; for I was able to pass Lady Vale-Avon