saw her
whole expression change. A wave of colour flooded her cheeks. Her eyes
were suddenly filled with life. They saw her lips part. Her hands were
outstretched to greet the man who, crossing the room, had stopped at
her summons. Both the Princess and Forrest frowned when they saw who it
was. It was Andrew de la Borne.

"That infernal fisherman!" Forrest muttered. "I saw in the paper that
he had returned this afternoon from The Hague."

The Princess made an involuntary movement forward, but Forrest checked
her.

"You can do no good," he said. "Wait and see what happens."

What did happen was very simple, and for the Count de Brensault a
little humiliating. Jeanne passed her arm through the newcomer's and
with the curtest of nods to her late companion, disappeared through an
open doorway. The Belgian stood looking after them, twirling his
moustache with shaking fingers. His face was paler even than usual, and
he was shaking with anger.

"Leave him alone for a few minutes," Forrest said to the Princess. "You
will do no good at all by speaking to him just now. Ena, it is
absolutely necessary that you make Jeanne understand the state of
affairs."

"I think," the Princess said thoughtfully, "that it will be best to
take her away from London. Lately I have noticed a development in
Jeanne which I do not altogether understand. She has begun to think for
herself most unpleasantly. She plays at being a child with De
Brensault, but that is simply because it is the easiest way to repulse
him."

Meanwhile Jeanne, whose face was transfigured, and whose whole manner
was changed, was sitting with her companion in the quietest corner they
could find.

"It is delightful to see you again," she said frankly. "I do not think
that any one ever felt so lonely as I do."

He smiled.

"I can assure you that I find it delightful to be back again," he said,
"although I have enjoyed my work very much. By the by, who introduced
you to the man whom you were with when I found you?"

"My stepmother," she answered. "He is the man, by the by, whom I am
told I am to marry."

Andrew looked as he felt for a moment, shocked.

"I am sorry to hear that," he said quietly.

"You need not be afraid," she answered. "I am not of age, and I was
brought up in a country where one's guardians have a good deal of
authority, but nothing in the world would ever induce me to marry a
creature like that."

His face cleared somewhat.

"I am very surp