eople. There is nothing to do but gamble, which
doesn't interest me particularly; or dress in a ridiculous costume and
paddle about in a few feet of water, which appeals to me even less."

"You were there a little early in the season," the Princess reminded
him.

Major Forrest assented.

"A little later," he admitted, "it may be tolerable. On the whole,
however, I was disappointed."

Lord Ronald spoke for the first time. He was very thin, very long, and
very tall. He wore a somewhat unusually high collar, but he was very
carefully, not to say exactly, dressed. His studs and links and
waistcoat buttons were obviously fresh from the Rue de la Paix. The set
of his tie was perfection. His features were not unintelligent, but his
mouth was weak.

"One thing I noticed about Ostend," he remarked, "they charge you a
frightful price for everything. We never got a glass of champagne there
like this."

"I am glad you like it," their host said. "From what you say I don't
imagine that I should care for Ostend. I am not rich enough to gamble,
and as I have lived by the sea all my days, bathing does not attract me
particularly. I think I shall stay at home."

"By the by, where is your home, Mr. De la Borne?" the Princess asked.
"You told me once, but I have forgotten. Some of your English names are
so queer that I cannot even pronounce them, much more remember them."

"I live in a very small village in Norfolk, called Salthouse," Cecil de
la Borne answered. "It is quite close to a small market-town called
Wells, if you know where that is. I don't suppose you do, though," he
added. "It is an out-of-the-way corner of the world."

The Princess shook her head.

"I never heard of it," she said. "I am going to motor through Norfolk
soon, though, and I think that I shall call upon you."

Cecil de la Borne looked up eagerly.

"I wish you would," he begged, "and bring your step-daughter. You can't
imagine," he added, with a glance at the girl who was sitting at his
left hand, "how much pleasure it would give me. The roads are really
not bad, and every one admits that the country is delightful."

"You had better be careful," the Princess said, "or we may take you at
your word. I warn you, though, that it would be a regular invasion.
Major Forrest and Lord Ronald are talking about coming with us."

"It's just an idea," Forrest remarked carelessly. "I wouldn't mind it
myself, but I don't fancy we should get Engleton away from tow