ter carelessly over the head of a daisy
and turned his head to listen.

"Is she on the way home?"

"She is due in Southampton at any moment now. She wants to know where
she can see me immediately upon her arrival, as she has information of
the utmost importance to give me."

"Did she ever tell you the reason for her journey to Africa?"

"She was most mysterious about it. If such an idea had had any logical
outcome, I should have surmised that she was going there to seek
information as to your past."

"She gave Seaman the same idea," Dominey observed. "I scarcely see what
she has to gain. In Africa, as a matter of fact," he went on, "my life
would bear the strictest investigation."

"The whole affair is singularly foolish," the Prince declared, "Still,
I am not sure that you have been altogether wise. Even accepting your
position, I see no reason why you should not have obeyed the Kaiser's
behest. My experience of your Society here is that love affairs between
men and women moving in the same circles are not uncommon."

"That," Dominey urged, "is when they are all tarred with the same brush.
My behaviour towards Lady Dominey has been culpable enough as it is.
To have placed her in the position of a neglected wife would have been
indefensible. Further, it might have affected the position which it is
in the interests of my work that I should maintain here."

"An old subject," the Ambassador sighed, "best not rediscussed. Behold,
our womenkind!"

Rosamund and the Princess had issued from the house, and the two men
hastened to meet them. The latter looked charming, exquisitely gowned,
and stately in appearance. By her side Rosamund, dressed with the same
success but in younger fashion, seemed almost like a child. They
passed into the luncheon room, crowded with many little parties of
distinguished and interesting people, brilliant with the red livery of
the waiters, the profusion of flowers--all that nameless elegance which
had made the place society's most popular rendezvous. The women, as they
settled into their places, asked a question which was on the lips of a
great many English people of that day.

"Is there any news?"

Terniloff perhaps felt that he was the cynosure of many eager and
anxious eyes. He smiled light-heartedly as he answered:

"None. If there were, I am convinced that it would be good. I have been
allowed to play out my titanic struggle against Sir Everard without
interruption."

"I suppo