pictures and frescoes were rather famous. The
grounds, however, were the main attraction; they covered twenty acres
and were maintained exactly as originally laid out by a famous Italian
landscape artist--with immense trees and huge hedges and narrow walks
and wonderful vistas.

The Marquise de Vierle welcomed her guests alone in one of the small
reception rooms; everyone entering singly and unmasking--she, herself,
being as yet, in ordinary evening dress. She was a very handsome
woman, much younger than the Marquis, and of the very oldest French
Aristocracy--a _grande dame_ in bearing as well as in birth.

"Your Royal Highness does us great honor," she said, as I bowed over
her hand.

I answered her in suit, and we tossed the usual number of compliments
back and forth.

"Whom shall we bid join you at supper?" she asked.

"My dear Marquise," I protested, "you have your personal party
selected--doubtless invited; and my unexpected coming must not break
your arrangements. Let me wander about, and pay no more regard to me
than to your most ordinary guest."

But she declined to excuse me; insisting that she had made no choice,
except Lady Helen Radnor, who happened to be staying the night with
her. So, without being churlish, I could decline no longer.

"If your Ladyship will make the list very small, and, then, engage to
give me all your smiles I shall accept with pleasure," I said.

"I will promise both," she said. "Who attends you to-night?"

"My Aide, Colonel Moore."

"Suppose, then, we make it a party of eight and ask Lady Helen, the
Countess de Relde, Mademoiselle d'Essolde and the American Ambassador."

"Charming!" I exclaimed; "charming!"

"And what hour will Your Highness be served?" she asked.

"At whatever hour Madame la Marquise fixes."

"Say, one o'clock, then--in the blue breakfast room; it is quiet and
retired."

I bowed again over her hand and was withdrawing, when the Marquise
stopped me.

"Would not Your Highness like to know some of the Masques?" she asked.

"Very much, indeed," said I.

"Then you will find a chair in the recess behind the curtains,
yonder--and, when you are tired, there is a door, which slides without
noise, opening into a private corridor leading to the Garden.
_Comprenez vous, Monsieur le Prince_?"

I laughed. "Perfectly," said I. "And I may have Colonel Moore with
me? There will be many faces I shall not know."

"He is without?" she asked.

"Yes--a