I'm here--and I shall not present myself to her, you may be sure."

"Yet, we owe Your Highness an explanation of her presence," the
Marquise exclaimed.

"My dear Madame de Vierle, you owe me nothing of the sort," I said. "I
am still enough of an American to think that a hostess is never called
upon to explain a guest. And, what is more, the whole difficulty is of
my own making, in coming after I had declined."

"Surely, Your Highness is very gracious; yet, I would very much prefer
to explain," she said. "It was this way: Madeline Stafford and I were
friends and schoolmates in Paris. We both married about the same time
and, then, lost touch with each other. I had neither seen nor heard
from her until I received a note some weeks ago. After Your Highness
regretted for to-night, I sent her a card. I mentioned the matter to
the Duke of Lotzen and he said that, under the circumstances, and as
everyone would be masked, it would be entirely proper. That is my
explanation."

"And one amply sufficient; even if any were required," I said.

I thought I saw my dear cousin's game.

"And you are quite sure you do not object to her remaining?"

"Quite sure," said I; "and I even hope she will enjoy herself. I
shall, I know. And, at supper, I'll confide my adventures to your
Ladyship." Then I took a shot in the dark. "And I know His Highness
of Lotzen will be forever sorry he could not be here to-night," I added.

"He was good enough to call and tell me so," was the answer.

I was sure, now, I saw my dear cousin's game.

Then I bowed over the Marquise's hand and Moore and I went out through
the sliding door--which, when the Marquis rolled it back for us, I saw
was not locked. In my haste I had not seen the small brass button
which released the latch.

"It's a pity Vierle didn't tell us what costume Mrs. Spencer is
wearing," Moore remarked, as we reached the Garden.

I stopped short. "What a blunderer I am. It would be better if you
did the thinking for me."

"Shall I go back and ask him?"

"It will keep until supper," said I. "In the meantime, let us hunt up
Courtney and Lady Helen." I explained to him how to distinguish them;
then, taking from my doublet a small package wrapped in foil, I
selected a red rose and put it in my mouth.

"Now," said I, "let us have a look around."

For a time I was more occupied with the beauty of the Garden than with
my fellow-masques, and I left it to Moore to keep a ca