ed. There were several others present, and
they began to chaff you. Perhaps I joined in--I don't remember. I think
that it was Major Charters who asked you, to use his own words, whether
your appointment was with a lady. You replied in the affirmative. There
was a little volley of chaff. You listened without contradiction to many
references concerning the nature of your afternoon's amusement."

The prince nodded slightly. His face remained quite expressionless.

"As a matter of fact," John concluded, "I have discovered by the purest
accident that Miss Maurel is to be your guest this afternoon at Seyre
House."

The prince inclined his head gently. He remained monosyllabic.

"Well?"

John frowned heavily.

"Can't you see," he went on bluntly, "that if any one of those men who
were present, and heard what was said about your guest, found out
afterward that it was Miss Maurel who came to see you--well, I need not
go on, need I? I am sure you understand. The things which were hinted at
could not possibly apply to her. Would you mind sending a note to Miss
Maurel and asking her to have tea with you some other afternoon?"

"And why the deuce should I do that?" the prince asked, a trifle paler,
but entirely self-possessed.

"To oblige me," John replied.

The prince wiped his eye-glass carefully upon his handkerchief.

"Mr. Strangewey, you are a very amiable young man," he said equably, "to
whom I have tried to show some kindness for Miss Maurel's sake. I really
do not see, however--pardon my putting it plainly--what business this
is of yours."

"It is my business," John declared, "because I have asked Miss Maurel to
be my wife, and because I am hoping that some day, before very long, she
will consent."

The prince sat quite still in his chair, his eyes fixed upon a certain
spot in the carpet. He had not even the appearance of being engaged in
thought. He seemed only steeped in a sort of passivity. Finally, with a
sigh, he rose to his feet.

"My young friend," he decided, "your statement alters the situation. I
did not credit you with matrimonial intentions. I must see what can be
done!"

His lips had relaxed ever so slightly--so slightly that they showed only
a glimpse of his teeth in one straight, hard line. He looked at John
mildly, and his words seemed destitute of all offense; yet John felt
that the lightnings were playing around them.

"I shall write a note to Miss Maurel," the prince promised, as he mad