ter; she would object to annexation."

The Boy was busily kicking fallen leaves as he walked. "You might ask
her--if you should ever see each other."

"Make her meet you at Monte Carlo, and introduce us there. I'll tell
you what I'll do. I'll give a dinner at the Hotel de Paris--the night
after we arrive. It shall be in your hands, and of course your
sister's, who ought to know your pal. You must try hard to get her to
come. Is it a bargain?"

"I can't answer for her."

"But I only ask you to try your hardest. Come now, when I've told you
about last night, you'll say I deserve a reward."

"Yes, I'll try."

"But, by Jove, I'd forgotten that your sister is an heiress," I went
on. "I've vowed not to fall in love with a girl who has a lot of
money."

"I told you that you wouldn't fall in love with her."

"Is she like you?"

"A good many people think so. That's why I'm so sure she wouldn't be
the sort of girl you'd care for--you, a man who admires the English
rose type or--a Contessa."

"The Contessa was your affair. For me, a woman of her type could never
be dangerous. Whereas, a girl like your sister----"

"Still harping on my sister!"

"I often think of her as 'The Princess.' It's a pretty name. I fancy
it suits her. Once or twice, since we've been chums, you have had
letters, I know. I hope you've better news of her?"

"She's cured in body and mind. It is--rather a queer coincidence,
perhaps, for like you, she has found out, so she tells me--that she
wasn't really in love with--the man. She was only in love with love."

"I'm heartily glad. If she's as true and brave a little soul, as
glorious a pal as you are, she will one day make some fellow the
happiest man alive."

The Boy did not answer. Perhaps he was overwhelmed with the indirect
praise suddenly heaped upon him; perhaps he thought that I spoke too
freely of the Princess his sister. I was not sure, myself, that I had
not gone beyond good taste; but calling up the picture of a girl,
resembling in character the Little Pal, had stirred me to sudden
enthusiasm. Fancy a girl looking at one with such eyes! a girl capable
of being such a companion. It would not bear thinking of. There could
be no such girl.

I was glad that, at this moment, we arrived at the Grand Port, and the
garden restaurant, where my regrets for the light that never was on
land or sea--or in a girl's eyes--were temporarily drowned in _cafe au
lait_.

The talk was no more of th