t shall be as you want," I said, and dispatched Major Moore to the
Radnor Box with the invitation.

When he returned, I stepped into the corridor and gave him explicit
instructions as to the supper. I had encouraged both him and Bernheim
to intimate when I was about to make an Archducal _faux pas_, and I saw
he did not approve of the public table. But I gave no heed. I knew
perfectly well it was violating official etiquette for the Princess to
appear there at such an hour; but it was her first request since--well,
since what had occurred a few minutes before--and I was determined to
gratify her. And Moore, being a good courtier, and knowing I had
observed his warning, made no further protest, but saluted and departed
on his mission.

When I rejoined Dehra she had moved forward and was looking over the
audience.

"I have found an ex-compatriot of yours," she remarked.

"Yes?" I said, rather indifferently.

"She has just come into the third box on the right. She is wonderfully
beautiful--or, at least, she looks it from here."

"I've got someone wonderfully beautiful beside me," I answered.

"But have you no interest in the American?" she asked.

"None--except that she interests you. In the third box, did you say?"
I asked, turning slowly toward it.

"Why, Armand, you know her!" said Dehra, suddenly.

Trust a woman to read a man's face.

"Yes," said I, "I have seen her before to-night."

She gave me a sharp look. "And have known her, too--_n'est ce pas_?"

"Yes--after a fashion," I answered.

She studied the woman for a space.

"Is that her husband behind her?" she asked, presently.

I smiled. "Very possibly," I said.

"Had she a husband when you knew her?" she persisted.

"Part of the time." I was a bit uncomfortable.

"And the man, yonder, is not he?"

"No," said I.

She gave me a sidelong glance. "And her name?" she asked.

"It used to be Madeline Spencer."

"You showed excellent taste, Armand--both in her looks and name."
There was something of sarcasm in the tone.

"Don't be unjust, sweetheart," I said. "She never was anything to me."

"Are you quite sure?".

"On my honor."

She gave a little sigh of relief. "I am glad, dear; I would not want
her for a rival. She is much too beautiful to be forgotten easily."

"The beauty is only external. She is ugly in heart," I said. "I
wonder what brings her to Dornlitz?"

"The man beside her, doubtless," said Dehra.

"Then he'