s duty to describe Marie in glowing terms, to induce
the Duke to feel that despite her social unimportance she was a pearl
among women. But if Vanno had his own peace to make, his own pearl to
praise, other interests might suffer. "Miss Grant! It is odd, isn't it,
that we should choose girls of names so much alike? Marie Gaunt,
and--but what is your Miss Grant's Christian name?"

Vanno had to confess ignorance; and this forced him to explain that he
had known Miss Grant for a very short time. "But I felt from the
beginning that I'd known her always," he added bravely. "It was--love at
first sight. You--I think you'll understand when you see her. The cure
sees. And that's what I want to ask. Will you both go to call upon her
with me--and be kind?"

"Of course," said Angelo. "It can't be too soon. When shall we go?"

"Well," said Vanno, almost shamefacedly, "I thought if you could manage
it this afternoon----"

Angelo laughed a pleasant but teasing laugh. "He doesn't want any grass
to grow between Cap Martin and Monte Carlo before our motor-car has
rushed us to his lady's bower. We can go this afternoon, I'm sure, can't
we, Marie?"

The eyes of the three men were turned upon the Princess, who was still
delicately eating her _Blinis au caviar_, though the others had
finished. For an instant she did not answer. Then she looked up
suddenly, first at Angelo, her glance travelling to Vanno almost
pleadingly before she spoke. "I should love to go," she said to him,
emphatically. "Only, I do think it would be so much more proper and
better in every way for me to call on--on Miss Grant first alone,
without either of you. Do let me. It will be far more of a compliment, I
assure you. And she will prefer it."

"I don't quite see that," observed Angelo.

"Because you are a man! Why, she can talk to me, and tell me little
confidential things that she will love telling, and couldn't so much as
mention before you. Vanno says she has no relatives with her, but is
staying with friends; and I will try to make her feel as if I were a
sister."

"Marie, you _are_ good!" exclaimed Vanno, his eyes warm with gratitude.
After all, his sister-in-law was not disapproving, as he had begun to
fear. "She's perfectly right, Angelo. It will be splendid of her to go
alone."

"I begin to see the point of view," said Angelo. "I might have known.
She's always right."

Marie smiled at him sweetly and softly; and as her husband's eyes met
hers a