sort," John declared, almost irritably. "There is
one person who has made a wonderful change in my life. I believe I could
say that I am absolutely certain of my feelings for her, but so far she
has not given me much encouragement. Tell me, _madame_, why do you ask
me these questions?"

"Because it interests me," she replied. "Why do you not insist that this
lady should tell you the truth?"

"I have come to London to insist," he told her, "but I have been here
only forty-eight hours."

"So you are waiting?"

"I am waiting," he assented.

"So many people spend their lives doing that," she went on presently.
"It does not appeal to me. The moment I make up my mind that I want a
thing, I take it. The moment I make up my mind to give, I give."

John was suddenly conscious of the closeness of the atmosphere. The
fingers of his hands were clenched tightly together. He swore to himself
that he would not look into this woman's face. He listened to the band
which was playing in the balcony of the great hall, to the murmur of the
voices, the shouts of laughter. He told himself that Mme. Calavera was
amusing herself with him.

"The prince's party," she continued, after a long pause, "seems to be a
great success, to judge by the noise they are making. So many people
shout and laugh when they are happy. I myself find a more perfect
expression of happiness in silence."

She was leaning a little back in her place. One arm was resting upon a
pile of cushions, the other hung loosely over the side of the divan.
John felt a sudden desire to rise to his feet, and a simultaneous
consciousness that his feet seemed to be made of lead.

"You may hold my fingers," she said; "and please keep your face turned
toward me. Why are you nervous? I am not very formidable."

He took her fingers, very much as the prince had done upon her arrival,
and pressed them formally to his lips. Then he released them and rose.

"You know," he confessed, "I am very stupid at this sort of thing. Shall
we go back to the reception rooms? I shall be the most unpopular man
here if I keep you any longer."

The smile deepened slightly. Little lines appeared at the sides of her
eyes. So far from being annoyed, he could see that she was laughing.

"Joseph," she mocked, "I am not tempting you, really! Do sit down. I
have met men in many countries, but none like you. So you do not wish to
accept those small privileges which a woman may offer when she chooses?"