wearing a new and most successful dinner-gown of black velvet, and she was quite sure that in the subdued light no one could tell that the

from Ostend, and I was very anxious to hear about the people I know there, and the frocks, and all the rest of it. Lor

t raised his glass and bo

to make the acquaintance of Major Forrest and Lord Ronald, but it has give

ces had become almost a habit with her, but they were still

r Forrest," he said. "I thought of going over mys

people. There is nothing to do but gamble, which doesn't interest me particularly; or dress i

early in the season," t

orrest

it may be tolerable. On the whol

r, but he was very carefully, not to say exactly, dressed. His studs and links and waistcoat buttons were obviously fresh

they charge you a frightful price for everything.

hould care for Ostend. I am not rich enough to gamble, and as I have lived by the sea

"You told me once, but I have forgotten. Some of your English names ar

ed. "It is quite close to a small market-town called Wells, if you know where that is.

ess shook

ing to motor through Norfolk soon, though

Borne looked

, with a glance at the girl who was sitting at his left hand, "how much pleasure it would

at your word. I warn you, though, that it would be a regular invas

"I wouldn't mind it myself, but I don't fancy we s

lot keener on these social functions than I am. As

" the Prin

d a chance to try it yet, but it's a sixty horse Mercedes, and it's f

delightful," the Princess dec

ed. "It's too hot for town, and I'm

of our friends with a car and another with a house. But seriously, Ce

in the shape of a rest-cure, I can recommend my home thoroughly. I am afraid," he a

We started the season a little early. I am perfectly certain that we could not possibly last till the end.

tly quite young, and her pale cheeks, dark full eyes, and occasional gestures, indicated clearly enough

erstand it at all. It seems as though every one is liked or disliked,

t isn't so with every one," L

at him ind

," she said. "I am speak

ical!" the Princess remarked. "There is

e unkind thoughts. But tell me, Lord Ronald, honestly, do you think that every one would have been as kin

," Lord Ronald answered. "I

and did not return his gaze. Their host, who had been watching them, frowned slightly. He w

surier will find out in time

pleasant one, to believe in everybody until they wan

ne s

ne's affections are hopelessly engaged. I

shrugged he

y dear child, until you have at least lived through a sing

g to find the conversation dull. He wa

aven't any amusements to offer you, but you could rest as thoroughly as you like. They say that the air is the finest in Eng

cept any of them, for I do not think that Jeanne would care much for the life at an ordinary country house. I myself," she contin

en, and say yes," Ceci

xt few days," the Princess answered.

er on their way into the foyer for coffee. The Princes

e. We shall be quite alone down there, and perhaps it would be as well that you were out of Lon

st no

don't mean that. I know who he is, of course, but why

ess smile

en abroad for the first time. He fancies that he is a little in love with me, and he is dazzled, of course, by the idea of Jeanne's fortune. He wants to play the host to us. Let him.

od deal braver since dinner,

t very well indeed. There will be nothing to do in the

ew weeks, and I dare say that if you keep away from the clubs for a time a

"this young De la Borne has no people living

afraid, though, he will not be of any use to you, for from what I can hear he is quite poor

ce," Forrest said. "If it seems all right,

tations of passing acquaintances. Jeanne alone looked about her with any interest. To the others, this sort of thing-the music of the red-coated

Princess asked, "how much longer

nswered, a little gloomily. "I sha'n't mind it half so much

o him to draw his chair

row. There is a perfectly hideous function on Thursday which I should so like to miss, an

ll," the young man answered eagerly, "I shoul

n London. I do not want to take Jeanne to any of the country house-parties we have been invited to. You know why. She really is such a child, an

Borne declared eagerly. "You see, I sha'n't have any guests at

ttle rest before we go abroad again, and we really want to come to you feeling the same way that one leaves one's home for lodgings in

ttle preparation which I could make for you in a day or a day and a half. You shall come and see how a poor English countryman lives, who

rose and put

he last of these terrible entertainments, I am glad to say. Do send me a note round in the morning, with the exact name of your house, and some idea of the road we m

least," they

asked. "Will she really not mind giving

ame so seldom, and which, when it did come, transformed he

o leave London. I am looking forward so much

cil de la Borne said, bowing ove

me corner of the world where the things which make life lie. It was a lapse from which she recovered almost immediately

ked, looking backwards as they passed