ille.

"I find," he said, as they lit their cigarettes, "that I committed an
indiscretion the other day at Camperdown House!"

Mr. Sabin assumed the puzzled air of one endeavouring to pin down an
elusive memory.

"Let me see," he murmured doubtfully. "It was in connection with--"

"The Countess Radantz. If you remember, I told you that it was her
desire just now to remain incognito. I, however, unfortunately forgot
this during the course of our conversation."

"Yes, I remember. You told me where she was staying. But the Countess
and I are old acquaintances. I feel sure that she did not object to your
having given me her address. I could not possibly leave London without
calling upon her."

Mr. Brott moved in his chair uneasily.

"It seems presumption on my part to make such a suggestion perhaps," he
said slowly, "but I really believe that the Countess is in earnest with
reference to her desire for seclusion just at present. I believe that
she is really very anxious that her presence in London, just now should
not be generally known."

"I am such a very old friend," Mr. Sabin said. "I knew her when she was
a child."

Mr. Brott nodded.

"It is very strange," he said, "that you should have come together again
in such a country as America, and in a small town too."

"Lenox," Mr. Sabin said, "is a small place, but a great center. By the
bye, is there not some question of an impending marriage on the part of
the Countess?"

"I have heard--of nothing of the sort," Mr. Brott said, looking up
startled. Then, after a moment's pause, during which he studied closely
his companion's imperturbable face, he added the question which forced
its way to his lips.

"Have you?"

Mr. Sabin looked along his cigarette and pinched it affectionately. It
was one of his own, which he had dexterously substituted for those which
his host had placed at his disposal.

"The Countess is a very charming, a very beautiful, and a most
attractive woman," he said slowly. "Her marriage has always seemed to me
a matter of certainty."

Mr. Brott hesitated, and was lost.

"You are an old friend of hers," he said. "You perhaps know more of her
recent history than I do. For a time she seemed to drop out of my life
altogether. Now that she has come back I am very anxious to persuade her
to marry me."

A single lightning-like flash in Mr. Sabin's eyes for a moment
disconcerted his host. But, after all, it was gone with such amazing
suddenne