head.

"Since you are here," he answered, "there can be no harm. It is only a
garden-party, after all."

And he bowed over Netty's head with an empressement which would have
conveyed to any one more versed in the ways of men the reason why he had
come.

"Do you bet, Mr. Deulin?" inquired Jooly.

"Never, unless I am quite sure," he answered.

"There is," observed Miss Mangles, who was inclined to be
gracious--"there is perhaps less harm in that."

"And less risk," explained Deulin gravely. "But surely," he said, in a
lower tone, turning to Netty, "you know the Princess Wanda? Did you not
meet her at Lady Orlay's?"

Netty had already displayed some interest in Martin Bukaty, which was
perhaps indiscreet. For a young man's vanity is singularly alert, and he
was quite ready to return the interest with interest, so to speak.

"Yes," she replied, "we met her at Lady Orlay's. But I think she does
not remember--though she seemed to recollect Mr. Cartoner, whom she met
at the same time."

Deulin looked at her with his quick smile as he nodded a little,
comprehending nod, and Netty's eyes looked into his innocently.

"Be assured," he answered, "that she has not seen you, or she would not
fail to remember you. You are sitting back to back, you observe. The
princess is rather distrait with thoughts of her father, who has just
had a slight mishap."

He bent forward as he spoke and touched Wanda on the shoulder.

"Wanda," he said, "this young lady remembers meeting you in London."

Wanda turned and, rising, held her hand over the low barrier that
divided the two boxes.

"Of course," she said, "Miss Cahere. You must excuse my sitting down so
near to you without seeing you. I was thinking of something else."

"I hardly expect you to recollect me," Netty hastened to say. "You must
have met so many people in London. Is it not odd that so many who were
at Lady Orlay's that night should be in Warsaw to-day?"

"Yes," answered Wanda, rather absently. "Are there many?"

"Why, yes. Mr. Deulin was there, and yourself and the prince and we
three and--Mr. Cartoner."

She looked round as she spoke for Cartoner, but only met Martin Bukaty's
eyes fixed upon her with open admiration. When speaking she had much
animation, and her eyes were bright.

"I am sure you are here with your brother. The likeness is unmistakable.
I hope the prince is not hurt?" she said, in her little, friendly,
confidential way to Wanda.

"No, he is n