benevolent attentions.

"I see," he said. "She looks so much more Polish than German, doesn't
she? What do you call home?" he added. "Have you lived much in England?"

"By home I mean Cornwall," said Miss Woodruff, who was evidently used to
being asked questions. "My guardian has a house there; but it has not
been for long. It used to be in Germany, and then for a little in Italy;
she has only had Les Solitudes for four years." She looked across at the
group under the chandelier. "There is still room for a chair." Her
glance indicated a gap in Madame von Marwitz's circle.

This kindly solicitude amused Gregory very much. She had him on her mind
as a sight-seer, as she had had Mrs. Harding; and she was full of
sympathy for sight-seers. "Oh--thanks--no," he said, his eyes following
hers. "I won't go crowding in."

"She won't mind. She will not even notice;" Miss Woodruff assured him.

"Oh, well, I like to be noticed if I do crowd," Gregory returned
smiling.

His slight irony was lost upon her; yet, he was sure of it, she was not
dull. Her smile showed him that she congratulated him on an ambitious
spirit. "Well, later, then, we will hope," she said. "You would of
course rather talk with her. And here is Mr. Drew, so that this chance
is gone."

"Who is that singular young man?" Gregory inquired watching with Miss
Woodruff the newcomer, who found a place at once in the gap near Madame
von Marwitz and was greeted by her with a brighter interest than she had
yet shown.

"Mr. Claude Drew?" Miss Woodruff replied with some surprise. "Do you not
know? I thought that everybody in London knew him. He is quite a famous
writer. He has written poetry and essays. 'Artemis Wedded' is by
him--that is poetry; and 'The Bow of Ulysses'--the essay on my guardian
comes in that. Oh, he is quite well known."

Mr. Claude Drew was suave and elegant, and his high, stock-like collar
and folded satin neck-gear gave him a somewhat recondite appearance.
With his dark eyes, pale skin, full, smooth, golden hair, and the vivid
red of an advancing Hapsburgian lip, he had the look of a young French
dandy drawn by Ingres.

"My guardian is very much interested in him," Miss Woodruff went on.
"She believes that he has a great future. She is always interested in
promising young men." This, no doubt, was why Miss Woodruff had so
kindly encouraged him to take his chances.

"He looks a clever fellow," said Gregory.

"Do you like his face?" Miss Wo