e same detached, indifferent tones. "The Count
introduced him to me; we had a long chat together. I think he is a
most charming young man, quite unaffected, with delightful manners and
very handsome. I predict he will be excessively popular."

"I wonder if you realise how much you are annoying me when you talk in
this manner?" asked the Prince roughly.

La Belle Quero held out her hand. "My friend, it seems to me you are
in rather a savage mood to-night, and I am not in the best of tempers
myself. If we talk much longer we may have a serious quarrel. I will
say good-night."

"Good-night," said the Prince in a low and harsh voice. "Perhaps it is
as well we should separate. There are a lot of people here I must
speak to."

Madame Quero turned towards the staircase. He strode after her and
laid his big, strong hand none too gently on her arm.

"And please listen once and for all to me. If it pleases you to amuse
yourself with this young Corsini, or for the matter of that with any
other effeminate foreigner, you need fear no interference from me.
Understand that."

Tears of rage came into the beautiful eyes. "Take your hand away, you
savage, you are hurting me. As for what you have just said in your
usual brutal manner, I perfectly grasp your meaning. And please also
to understand this from me. If I choose to turn my fancy in that or
any other direction, I shall not trouble to consult you, much less beg
for your permission."

With a muttered curse Zouroff released her arm, whose delicate flesh
he had bruised, turned on his heel and re-entered the concert saloon.

And next morning, Golitzine, whose sharp eyes had noted the pleasant
talk between Corsini and the beautiful singer, also the way in which
Zouroff had flung away from her as she descended the grand staircase,
was able to report to his Imperial Master that the first act in the
little comedy had opened well.

CHAPTER XII

The relations between the handsome singer and the new Director, so
pleasantly established on the night of the Countess Golitzine's
concert, progressed very smoothly. La Belle Quero was unwontedly
gentle and submissive in her acceptance of any professional
suggestions from the handsome young Italian.

It was the general gossip that she was a good deal in love with
Corsini, and wavering in her allegiance to the masterful and
tyrannical Prince. Nello himself took the situation very calmly. In
the first place, Madame Quero was a ma