e Swiss governess reserved the secret delight of
donning the glittering ornament until she was positive that no tell-tale
spy had observed her innocent assignation with her sister's chivalric
friend. "He must be rich and powerful," she murmured as she fled from
her room to play the safety game of being found with the heiress when
her Prince Charming should arrive. Miss Nadine Johnstone failed not to
observe the unusual color mantling her sedate friend's cheeks.

"You look as if you had received some good news. Is the mail in?"
queried Miss Johnstone.

"Not yet. I hastened back, for I forgot to take my watch and was
belated. I fear I am late, even now, for tiffin," demurely replied the
Swiss maiden, dropping for the first time in her life into the baleful
arts of the other daughters of Eve. She had broken the ice of propriety
in which her past life had been congealed and an insidious pleasure now
thrilled her quickened veins, as she felt herself possessed of a secret,
one linking her to an attractive member of the dangerous sex, and a hero
of romance, a very Don Juan in seductive softness. Her knees trembled at
a sudden summons to report to the Master of the marble house, forthwith.

Her bosom heaved with a vague alarm as she timidly descended the grand
stair, and was conducted to the private snuggery of the Commissioner
adjoining his own apartments. "Does he know aught of the meeting?" she
questioned herself, in the throes of a sudden fright. She was somewhat
reassured as she observed the carriage drawn up in the compound and, by
hazard, caught a glance of Alan Hawke's graceful martial figure, as
he stood regarding her intently from the safe shelter of the darkened
reception-room. Her heart bounded with delight as her Prince Charming
smilingly placed his finger on his lip.

A sense of manly protection, never felt before, gave her the strength of
ten as she then glided along boldly to face her gray-headed master. For
now she knew that she had a champion at her side, a man professionally
brave, both resolute and charming. Her promise to meet Alan Hawke again
at the jeweler's now took on a roseate hue.

"I must surely keep my plighted word at all risks," she murmured to
herself. For the sage reflection that she owed a sacred duty to her
sister's friend, now came to comfort her, in her heart of hearts. It was
almost a pious duty which lay before her now. And so she became brave
in the knowledge of the innocent secret sh