us, but to him
it isn't. It is part of the religion of his life."

"You are not very encouraging, are you?" Maggie remarked. "Perhaps he
has changed since those days."

Her companion shook his head.

"I should say not," he replied, "the Prince is not of the order of those
who change."

"Is it matrimony alone," she asked, "which he denies himself?"

Chalmers glanced towards Mrs. Bollington Smith, whose eyes were closed.
Then he nodded towards the stage.

"You see the woman who has just come upon the stage?"

Maggie glanced downwards. A very wonderful little figure in white satin,
lithe and sinuous as a cat, Chinese in the subtlety of her looks,
European in her almost sinister over-civilisation, stood smiling
blandly at the applauding audience.

"La Belle Nita," Maggie murmured. "I thought she was in Paris. Well,
what of her?"

"She is reputed to be a protegee of Prince Shan. You see how she looks
up at his box."

Maggie was conscious of a queer and almost incomprehensible stab at the
heart. She answered without hesitation or change of expression, however.

"The Prince must be kind to a fellow countrywoman," she declared
indulgently. "You are talking terrible scandal."

La Belle Nita danced wonderfully, sang like a linnet, danced again and
disappeared, notwithstanding the almost wild calls for an encore. With
the end of her turn came a selection from the orchestra and a general
emptying of the boxes. Presently Chalmers went in search of Nigel. A few
moments later there was a knock at the door. Maggie gripped the sides of
her chair tightly. She was moved almost to fury by the turmoil in which
she found herself. Her invitation to enter was almost inaudible.

"I am deserted," Prince Shan explained, as he made his bow and took the
chair to which Maggie pointed. "My friend Immelan has left me to visit
acquaintances, and I chance to be unattended this evening. I trust that
I do not intrude."

"You are very welcome here," Maggie replied. "Will you listen to the
orchestra, or talk to me?"

"I will talk, if I may," he answered. "Lord Dorminster is not with
you?"

"Nigel went to look up a friend whom he wants to bring to supper. He is
one of those people who seem to discover friends and acquaintances in
every quarter of the globe."

"And to that fortunate chance," her visitor continued, dropping his
voice a little, "I owe the happiness of finding you alone."

Maggie glanced towards her aunt, who was leaning