I wonder if you
realize the possibilities of your future in an international sphere.
To you I have no fear of talking. Listen, then."

Unconsciously the girl bent toward him.

"I am a diplomat," he continued. "There are things which--" he lifted
his brows. "Newport--the French ambassador is here; the German
ambassador is at Narragansett Pier, and I--who knows where I am--and
why? But some day--"

He drew a long breath. "Rest content now, Miss Wellington, that I am
progressing toward the gratitude of my Government; you shall hear more.
Of course," he waved his hand, "I have spoken for your ear."

"Of course," said Miss Wellington, calmly, but inwardly curious
nevertheless. "Should you care to walk to the stables?"

He nodded and then walking beside her he continued impulsively:

"I am not a soldier, Miss Wellington. But all victories are not won on
the battlefields. The art--one of the arts--of diplomacy is to bring
on war, if war must be, when you are ready and your adversaries are
not. There are other functions. Let it be so. I but observe that one
may wield things other than the sword and better than the sword, to
serve one's country."

"I quite believe you." There was enthusiasm in her voice. "You may
never expect the glory of the soldier, and yet how glorious the work
must be! The matching of wits instead of guns, and then--you have the
opportunity of winning the victories of peace--"

"Of which the world seldom hears," interpolated the Prince.

"But that makes it finer," she said. "Have we any real diplomats,
who--oh, I don't know--make themselves felt in the inner circle of
things: men that we--that the country--does not know of, who are doing
the--the things you are?"

The Prince smiled.

"I don't know really. You have the 'new diplomacy' which is shouting
what other people whisper--or keep to themselves--and _le gros
gourdin_--the laughable big stick; it amuses us more than it impresses,
I assure you." He regarded the girl closely and she smiled
questioningly.

"You do not flush! You are not irritated?" he asked.

"Why should I be? What do you mean?"

"I was speaking lightly of your country."

"Oh, were you? I did not notice. I fear I am used to that, having
spent much time in Europe."

The Prince looked at her curiously. She colored.

"No," she said, "I do not go in strongly for the _furore Americanus_,
if that is what you mean."

"So. Your country must look to its