w--or rather, to-night, since it
is now morning."

"Yes. Will you go with me? I will then have the pleasure of presenting
you."

"Thank you; yes."

I did not see the prince again until he called for me on his way to the
house of the princess where we found the parlors thronged, so that it
was with difficulty that we presently made our way among the massed
guests to the point where Zara de Echeveria was receiving her friends.
On our way to greet her, Prince Michael encountered many acquaintances
who claimed a word with him, so at last he drew me aside and we waited
until there was a lull in the efforts of the crush around her; then he
led me forward.

"So glad to know you, Mr. Dubravnik," she said, in my own language.
"The prince has told me that you have spent a long time abroad, and
prefer to speak English. I am also fond of conversing in that tongue.
Will you be seated?" She made a place for me beside her, and we were
soon engaged in conversation.

The Princess Zara!

It is frequently the case that we meet people who antagonize us the
moment a glance or a handshake is exchanged, while our inner
consciousness offers no explanation for the reasonless antipathy; on
the other hand Fate brings us sometimes in contact with personalities
which at once appeal to a sixth sense which is unexplainable and
indefinable, but which seems to comprehend more than the combined five
educated and trained sensibilities. What is that sixth sense? Who can
tell? I only know that in one moment I felt as if I had known the
princess all my life, and I knew instinctively that the same influences
were affecting her.

I will not attempt to describe her, more than to afford a mere outline
for something that was indescribable, for the charm which pervaded the
atmosphere around her was felt rather than seen. It would be unfair to
call her beautiful, as the prince had done, for that word comprehends
merely an outward and visible sign, and with the Princess Zara,
although her beauty was striking, it was the least of her attractions.
I had thought that I was born and had lived, devoid of that form of
self consciousness which is called diffidence, although it is only an
expression of egotism; but for the first time in my life I found myself
ill at ease, and wondering if I was appearing to advantage. I was
conscious of myself; and what was stranger still I realized that this
trained society beauty, the undoubted heroine of unnumbered conquests,