o not understand Miss Burgoyne," said Nina.

"What don't I understand about her, then?"

Nina shook her head.

"Why should I say? You will not believe. Perhaps she is grateful to you
for bringing in that young man--yes, perhaps--but if she would rather
have yourself to go and talk with her and be her companion before all
those people? Oh, you do not believe? No, you are too modest--as she is
vain and jealous. All during the dinner she was playing coquette,
openly, for every one to see; Estelle says it was to pique the young man
who came from the other room; no, Leo, it was not--it was meant for
you!"

"Oh, nonsense, Nina!--I wasn't thinking anything about her!"

"Does she think that, Leo?" Nina said to him, gently. "Ah, you do not
know that woman. She is clever; she is cunning; she wishes to have the
fame of being associated with you--even in a photograph for the
shop-windows; and you are so blind! The duel?--yes, she would have liked
that, too, for the newspapers to speak about it, and the public to talk,
and her name and yours together; but then she says, 'No, he will owe
more to me if I interfere and get an apology for him,' It is one way or
the other way--anything to win your attention--that you should care for
her--and that you should show it to the world--"

"Nina, Nina," said he, "you want to make me outrageously vain. Do you
imagine she had a single thought for me when she had Lord Denysfort to
carry on with--he hasn't much in his head, poor devil! but a title goes
a long way in the theatrical world--and when she could practise on the
susceptibilities of her humble adorer who was further down the table?
Oh, I fancy Miss Burgoyne had enough to occupy herself with this evening
without thinking of me. She was quite busy."

"Ah, you do not understand, Leo," Nina said. "But some day you may
understand--if Miss Burgoyne still finds you indifferent, and becomes
angry. But before that, she will try much--"

"Nina!"

"You will see, Leo!" Nina said; and that was all she could say just
then, for Mr. Lehmann came up to take the general vote as to whether
they would rather have tea out there in the moonlight or return to the
dining-room.

But any doubt as to the manner in which Miss Burgoyne regarded his
intercession on behalf of Mr. Percival Miles was removed, and that in a
most summary fashion, by the young lady herself. As they were about to
leave the hotel, the men were standing about in the hall, chatting at