iety to functions which, for magnificence and
completeness, had scarcely ever been equalled and never excelled. Upon
none of these affairs, however, had he bestowed half so much care and
attention as he did upon the dinner which it is now my duty to
describe. Having written the formal invitation, he posted it himself;
after which he drove to the restaurant which was to be honoured with
Katherine Petrovitch's presence, and interviewed the proprietor in his
own sanctum.

"Remember, Alphonse," he said to that delightful little man, "good as
the others have been, this must be the very best dinner you have ever
arranged for me. It must not be long, nor must it be in the least
degree heavy. You know my taste in wine, and I give you _carte
blanche_ to ransack London for what you consider necessary in the way
of rarities. Reserve 'No. 6' for me, if it is not already engaged; and
make it look as nice as you possibly can. I will send the flowers from
my house, and my own man shall arrange them."

Alphonse chuckled and rubbed his hands. This was just the sort of
order he delighted to receive.

"Ver' good; it shall be done, M'sieu Browne," he said, bowing and
spreading his hands apart in his customary fashion when pleased. "I
have made you many, many dinners before, but I give you the word of
Alphonse that this shall be the best of all. _Ma foi!_ but I will give
you a dinner zat for its betterment you cannot get in England. Ze cost
I will----"

"Never mind the cost," answered the reckless young man; "remember, it
must be the best in every way. Nothing short of that will do."

"I will satisfy you, m'sieu; never fear that. It is my honour.
Perhaps it is royalty zat you have to come to my house?"

"It is nothing of the sort," Browne replied scornfully. "I am asking
two ladies and one gentleman."

Alphonse's face expressed his surprise. It looked as if his beautiful
dinner was likely to be wasted.

Having arranged the hour and certain other minor details, Browne
returned to his cab once more, and drove off in search of Jimmy Foote.
It was some time before he found him, and, when he did, a considerable
period elapsed before he could obtain speech with him. Jimmy was at
the Welter Club, playing black pool with two or three youths of his own
type. From the manner in which their silver was changing hands, it
certainly looked as if that accomplished young gentleman was finding
his time very fully taken up, picking