and under what circumstances it would
be brought about! In those days the Ramonyi dynasty had seemed as firmly
seated upon the throne as that of any other ruling family in Europe. Now
we were in exile, and our country was given over to the tender mercies
of the populace.

"Are you tired?" I inquired, when we had made the circuit of the room
three or four times.

"Not in the least," she answered. "I am never tired of waltzing, and, if
I may say so, you dance beautifully."

"I am afraid it is my only accomplishment," I replied.

"I shall hope to be a better judge of that later," she retorted. "You
must remember that, so far, you have told me more concerning your
brother than yourself. Are you always so enthusiastic about him and so
reticent concerning yourself?"

"Always."

"Really! In that case I shall be quite anxious to see this Admirable
Crichton. Does he never come to town?"

"Very seldom," I replied. "He is devoted to his profession."

"But surely he is fond of dancing, and of some of the little amusements
that ordinary mortals indulge in?"

"I don't think he cares very much for them. I fear Max is not in any
sense a lady's man."

"You are prepared then to admit that he has at least one fault?" she
said. "I was beginning to believe he was scarcely human."

The waltz was gradually dying down, expiring like the fabled swan in
softest music. When it had ceased altogether, I thanked my partner, and
led her into the cool conservatory. The admiration I had felt for her
from the beginning was fast turning to enthusiasm.

Half an hour later I followed her to Lady Basingstoke's house, and when,
after another delicious waltz, I escorted her to her carriage, and was
introduced to her chaperone, I was as near enchantment as a man could
well be. Next day I did myself the honour of calling at her house, and
was most graciously received; the morning following I met her in the
Row. She was mounted on a neat thoroughbred, which she sat and handled
with the grace and dexterity of an accomplished horsewoman. With the
sunshine sparkling in her eyes and playing among the tresses of her
hair, her trim figure clad in its well-cut habit, with just the
suspicion of a tiny foot peeping from beneath her skirt, she presented a
picture that a man would have been justified in walking miles to see. On
the Monday following we met at a dance in Eaton Square, on the Tuesday
at another at Wiltshire House, on Wednesday at the state con