old that Madame
Quero, in particular, has distinguished you with a somewhat marked
friendship. And she is reported to be a rather difficult woman to get
on with. I know our late Director found her so, to his frequent
annoyance."

Nello blushed deeply. He was very sensitive, and it vexed him to find
that his friendship with the handsome Spanish woman had been already
commented on. If these comments had reached Golitzine, they had
probably also reached the Princess Zouroff and her daughter.

"The relations between Madame Quero and myself are, I am pleased to
say, most cordial. Being the most distinguished member of the company,
as she certainly is, it insures smooth working all round," answered
the young Italian.

"Quite, quite," assented the suave Count. "Of course you have many
opportunities of meeting and chatting. I hear that our friend, Prince
Zouroff, is much chagrined that the charming lady in question is
friendly with you. You have met the Prince, I presume. I should like
to know your real opinion--of course in the strictest confidence."

The flush on Corsini's face deepened. He had met the Prince now on
several occasions at different houses in the city, and that arrogant
nobleman had always treated him with marked _hauteur_, hardly taking
the trouble to acknowledge his polite salutation.

"I should say, your Excellency, that he is sadly deficient in the
common courtesies of life."

There was a subdued laugh from the man in civilian clothes, standing
in the bay window. He turned round for a second and exchanged a
meaning glance with the Count. Golitzine knew what that glance was
intended to convey. "There was no love lost between these two."

"I think, Signor Corsini, you have very pithily defined our friend's
deficiencies. If he could have controlled his somewhat brutal
impulses and acquired a little more polish, he might have advanced
farther in his career than now seems possible."

There was a brief pause, which was broken by the Count.

"In the course of these chats with Madame Quero, I dare say you learn
a good deal of her general habits. Women are apt to get confidential
with an agreeable male friend. I expect she has told you of those
secret little parties to which only men are admitted, which she has at
her villa?"

"I swear to your Excellency that to me she has never breathed a word
of them."

"I quite believe you, Signor. There is good reason why she should keep
silence. Her last party was