me really Denham?"

"So Anne told me. I had no reason to think that it was otherwise. He was
a gentleman of good family, but an outcast from his people by reason of
his reckless folly. I also am an outcast," said she pleasantly, "but
merely because I am strong-minded. I am not foolish."

"No, Princess," said Giles, looking keenly at her, "I should certainly
not call you foolish."

"But I can be foolish on occasions," said she quickly, and flushed as
she glanced at him, "like all women. But Anne--I see we must get back to
Anne. Well, she, having better moral principles than her father, grew
wearied of their wandering life. She decided to become a governess. Mr.
Denham put her to school at Hampstead--a sister of Mrs. Cairns keeps the
school, and that is why Anne is so intimate with Mrs. Cairns--and when
her education was finished she took a situation in Italy. There she
remained some years. Afterwards she rejoined her father for a time. He
died at Florence--typhoid fever, I believe--and Anne found herself
alone. She returned to England, and assisted by Mrs. Cairns, took
various situations. She always returned to Mrs. Cairns when out of an
engagement. It was on one of these occasions that I met her. We have
been friends for a long time, Mr. Ware. Then Anne was engaged by Mrs.
Morley, and--and the rest you know. There is no more to be said."

"Is that all?" said Giles, disappointed by this bald narrative.

The Princess shrugged her shoulders, and throwing aside her cigarette,
leaned back with her hands behind her head. "What would you, Mr. Ware?
Anne is a good woman. Good women never have any history."

"Can you tell me anything about the Scarlet Cross?"

"Anne never spoke of such a thing to me. But my friend may be able to
tell you. Ah!"--the Princess raised her head as a ring came to the
door--"there is my friend. Before his time, too. But we have finished
our conversation, Mr. Ware."

"For the present, yes."

She looked at him suddenly. "But certainly," she said in her vivacious
way, "you must come and see me again. We will have much to talk of. You
love music. I will sing to you, and----" Here she broke off to greet a
new-comer, much to the relief of Giles, who was beginning to feel
uncomfortable. "How do you do, Mr. Steel?"

With an exclamation Ware rose. It was indeed Steel who stood before him
looking as round and rosy and cheerful as ever. "You are surprised to
see me, sir," he said, with a twinkle.

"I