hen. The rich man had gone back
to his own country, and the Princess Anatolie had taken the villa and
meant to spend the rest of her life there. She was only seventy years
old, and had made up her mind to live to be a hundred, so that it was
worth while to make permanent arrangements for her comfort.

Lamberti might have driven through the gate and up to the house, but he
was not sure whether the Princess liked to see such plebeian vehicles as
cabs in her grounds. He had a strong suspicion that, in spite of her
royal blood, she had the soul of a snob, and thought much more about
appearances than he did; and as for Monsieur Leroy, he was one of the
most complete specimens of the snob species in the world. Therefore
Lamberti, who now had reasons for wishing to propitiate the dwellers in
the villa, left his cab outside and walked up the steep drive to the
house.

He did not look particularly well in a frock coat and high hat. He was
too muscular, his hair was too red, his neck was too sunburnt, and he
was more accustomed to wearing a uniform or the rough clothes in which
fighting is usually done. The footman looked at him and did not
recognise him.

"Her Highness is not at home," said the man, coolly.

A private carriage was waiting at a little distance from the porch, and
the footman who belonged to it was lounging in the vestibule within.

"Be good enough to ask whether her Highness will see me," said Lamberti.

The fellow looked at him again, and evidently made up his mind that it
would be safer to obey a red-haired gentleman who had such a very
unusual look in his eyes and spoke so quietly, for he disappeared
without making any further objection.

When Lamberti entered the drawing-room, he was aware that the Princess
was established in a high arm-chair near a tea-table, that Monsieur
Leroy was coming towards him, and that an elderly lady in a hat was
seated near the Princess in an attitude which may be described as one of
respectful importance. He was aware of the presence of these three
persons in the room, but he only saw the fourth, a young girl, standing
beside the table with a cup in her hand, and just turning her face
towards him with a look that was like a surprised recognition after not
having seen him for a very long time. He started perceptibly as his eyes
met hers, and he almost uttered an exclamation of astonishment.

He was checked by feeling Monsieur Leroy's toad-like hand in his.

"Her Highness