talian a very charming and provocative smile.

"We shall have to work together very soon, shall we not, Signor? I am
afraid you will find me a somewhat difficult person. It is just as
well we should meet first on neutral ground. Perhaps when we do
quarrel, we may be disposed to forgive each other the more readily for
that fact."

Nello was becoming quite a man of the world in this rarefied
atmosphere into which he had been so suddenly projected. He replied to
the raillery of the beautiful singer in becoming language. She swept
an approving glance over him.

"I think we shall soon be very good friends," she said in a gracious
voice. "Our present Director is a bit of a bully, and I believe hates
women." She shrugged her shapely shoulders. "Well, he is ancient and
cantankerous. You are young; I am sure you do not hate women, just
because they are the inferior sex."

The smile that accompanied the words became more seductive. Corsini
was a little put to it to preserve his equilibrium. He had been
welcomed cordially by a Princess and her charming daughter. Here was a
celebrated _prima donna_ of great beauty, openly declaring that she
was ready to flirt with him--ready to be made love to, if he were
disposed that way.

He paid her some gallant compliments, of the kind that come readily to
the lips of members of the Latin races; but, as he did so, his glance
stole unconsciously to the lovely young Princess, and involuntarily
there came into his eyes a light that was noted by the observant
Spanish woman.

"You admire the Princess Nada Zouroff immensely. Is it not so? You
have a good excuse; she is certainly very beautiful. An exquisite bud
rather than a full-grown rose, eh, my friend?"

"Perhaps, Madame," replied the diplomatic Italian. "But all flowers
are beautiful, whether in bud or full blossom."

"For myself, were I a man, I should not be very greatly attracted by
immaturity. We are using flowers in the form of an allegory. Of course
we are really speaking of women." She threw at him one of her most
dazzling smiles. There was nothing immature, nothing of the ripening
bud about the opulent beauty of La Belle Quero.

Corsini, seeing what was expected of him, returned that alluring smile
with a glance of respectful admiration. He had already gathered that
she was a popular idol, and wielded great influence in the musical
world.

Personally, he preferred the simpler and more modest loveliness of the
charming youn