to the lowest seats. Jean shot one
vindictive glance around the table.

"You have more wit and breeding than any of them!" she said. "And as
for me, this lace I wear would buy any of their rickety old palaces."

"They have something which we cannot buy," said Miss Vance gravely. "I
never understood before how actual a thing rank is here."

"Cannot it be bought? I am going to look into that when this huge feed
is over," Miss Hassard said to herself.

Late in the evening she danced with Count Odo, and prattled to him in a
childish, frank fashion which he found very charming.

"Your rules of precedence are very disagreeable!" she pouted.
"Especially when one sits at the foot of the table and is served last."

"They must seem queer to you," he said, laughing, "but they are
inflexible as iron."

"But they will bend for Miss Dunbar, if she makes up her mind to marry
your cousin?" she asked, looking up into his face like an innocent
child.

"No. Hugo makes a serious sacrifice in marrying a woman of no birth,"
he said. "He must give up his place and title as head of the family.
She will not be received at court nor in certain houses; she must
always remain outside of much of his social life."

He led her back to Miss Vance. She seemed to be struck dumb, and even
forgot to smile when he bowed low and thanked her for the dance.

"Let us go home," she whispered to Clara. "The American girl is a fool
who marries one of these men!"

When Miss Vance's carriage reached her hotel, she found Prince Hugo's
coupe before the door.

"He has come to see Lucy, alone!" she said indignantly, as she hurried
up the steps. "He has no right to annoy her!"

She met him coming out of the long salle. The little man walked
nervously, fingering his sword hilt. He could not control his voice
when he tried to speak naturally.

"Yes, gracious lady, I am guilty. It was unpardonable to come when I
knew the chaperone was gone. But--ach! I could not wait!" throwing
out both hands to her. "I have waited so long! I knew when she did
not come to meet my sisters to-night she had resolved against me, but I
could not sleep uncertain. So I break all the laws, and come!"

"You have seen her, then? She has told you?"

He nodded without speaking. His round face was red, and something like
tears stood in his eyes.

He waited irresolute a moment, and then threw up his head.

"Soh! It is over! I shall not whine! You have been