the situation.

"You have forgiven me for my insistence this morning?" she asked. "It
was hard for me to believe that you were not indeed the person for whom
I mistook you."

"Other people have spoken to me of the likeness," Dominey replied. "It
is a matter of regret to me that I can claim to be no more than a simple
Norfolk baronet."

"Without any previous experience of European Courts?"

"Without any at all."

"Your German is wonderfully pure for an untravelled man."

"Languages were the sole accomplishment I brought away from my misspent
school days."

"You are not going to bury yourself in Norfolk, Sir Everard?" the
Princess Terniloff enquired.

"Norfolk is very near London these days," Dominey replied, "and I have
experienced more than my share of solitude during the last few years. I
hope to spend a portion of my time here."

"You must dine with us one night," the Princess insisted, "and tell us
about Africa. My husband would be so interested."

"You are very kind."

Stephanie rose slowly to her feet, leaned gracefully over and kissed her
hostess on both cheeks, and submitted her hand to the Prince, who raised
it to his lips. Then she turned to Dominey.

"Will you be so kind as to see me home?" she asked. "Afterwards, my car
can take you on wherever you choose to go."

"I shall be very happy," Dominey assented.

He, too, made his farewells. A servant in the hall handed him his hat
and coat, and he took his place in the car by Stephanie's side. She
touched the electric switch as they glided off. The car was in darkness.

"I think," she murmured, "that I could not have borne another moment of
this juggling with words. Leopold--we are alone!"

He caught the flash of her jewels, the soft brilliance of her eyes as
she leaned towards him. His voice sounded, even to himself, harsh and
strident.

"You mistake, Princess. My name is not Leopold. I am Everard Dominey."

"Oh, I know that you are very obstinate," she said softly, "very
obstinate and very devoted to your marvellous country, but you have a
soul, Leopold; you know that there are human duties as great as any your
country ever imposed upon you. You know what I look for from you, what I
must find from you or go down into hell, ashamed and miserable."

He felt his throat suddenly dry.

"Listen," he muttered, "until the hour strikes, I must remain to you as
to the world, alone or in a crowd--Everard Dominey. There is one way and
one way only