shed her with a faithful description of him, trying to
make her realise what a splendid fellow he was.

"You admire him as much as ever, I can see," she said. "Your brother is
fortunate in having so able a champion."

I did not grasp her meaning then, but it has become more plain to me
since. We changed the topic, and after a while, feeling that it would
not do for me to monopolise her altogether, I rose, remarking, as I did
so, that I hoped to have the pleasure of meeting her again very soon. I
ran over the list of houses to which I had invitations that evening, and
inquired whether she was likely to be at any one of them.

"We are going to Lady Cummingdale's musical first," she said; "then we
go on to the Countess of Winterbourne's dance, and afterwards to Lady
Basingstoke's."

"Then perhaps I may have the pleasure of a dance with you at
Winterbourne House?" I answered.

"I shall be very pleased," she returned.

At that moment a tall, handsome man, perhaps sixty years of age, with a
fierce grey moustache and almost snow-white hair, crossed the lawn and
made his way towards us. I did not know him, but I was soon to do so,
for the Princess Ottilie took a step forward to meet him, saying as she
did so:

"Papa, let me introduce you to Prince Paul of Pannonia."

The other gave a start and drew himself up to his full height.

"I am honoured in being permitted to make the acquaintance of his Royal
Highness," he replied, a little stiffly, so I thought. "The last time I
saw you, sir, was on the day you were baptised. I trust his Majesty and
the Queen enjoy good health?"

I replied to the effect that they were as well as could be expected of
people of their years, and after a few polite nothings made my adieu,
vaguely wondering what my mother would say when she heard of the
interview, as I had no doubt she very soon would.

That evening, during the long state dinner at Buckingham Palace, I found
myself continually thinking of the pretty Princess. Never had an
admirably arranged banquet seemed so tedious. I was all anxiety for it
to be over, in order that I might get away to Winterbourne House. At
last it came to an end, and very soon after I was bowling along in my
cab towards Carlton Terrace. On entering the house I made my way up the
crowded staircase to the ball-room, where dancing was in full swing.
Having paid my respects to my hostess, I searched the room for Princess
Ottilie. I discovered her dancing with on