moment. The owner of the restaurant received him
personally.

"Well, Lallemand," said Browne, with an anxiety that was almost
ludicrous, "how are your preparations? Is everything ready?"

"Certainly, monsieur," Lallemand replied, spreading his hands apart.
"Everything is ready; Felix himself has done ze cooking, I have chosen
ze wine, and your own gardener has arranged ze flowers. You have ze
best men-servants in London to wait upon you. I have procured you four
kinds of fruit that has only a few times been seen in England before;
and now I give you ze word of Lallemand zat you will have ze most
perfect little dinner in ze city of London."

"I am glad to hear it," said Browne. "I am exceedingly obliged to you
for the trouble you have taken in the matter."

"I beg you will not mention ze trouble, monsieur," replied Lallemand
politely. "It is ze pleasure of my life to serve you."

He had scarcely spoken before a cab drew up before the door, and Jimmy
Foote made his appearance, clad in immaculate evening-dress. He
greeted Browne with a somewhat sheepish air, as if he were ashamed of
himself for something, and did not quite know what that something was.

"Well, old man," he said. "Here I am, you see; up to time, I hope.
How d'ye do, Lallemand?"

"I hope you are most well, Monsieur Foote," replied Lallemand, with one
of his inimitable bows.

"I am better than I shall be after your dinner," Foote replied, with a
smile. "Human nature is weak. I am tempted, and I know that I shall
fall."

Browne all this time was showing signs of impatience. He glanced
repeatedly at his watch, and as seven o'clock drew near he imagined
that every vehicle pulling up outside must contain the two ladies for
whom he was waiting so eagerly. When at last they did arrive he
hastened to the door to greet them. Madame Bernstein was the first to
alight, and Katherine Petrovitch followed her a moment later. She gave
her hand to Browne, and as he took it such a thrill went through him
that it was wonderful the young man did not collapse upon the pavement.

Having conducted them to the room in which they were to take off their
wraps, Browne went in search of Foote, whom he found in the dining-room.

"Pull yourself together, old chap," said Jimmy as he glanced at him;
"you are all on the jump. What on earth is the matter with you? Take
my advice and try a pick-me-up."

"I wouldn't touch a drop for worlds," said Browne, with rig