. Lucille, unusually pale
and grave, had just issued from the ladies' ante-room, and joined Lady
Carey, who was talking to Mr. Sabin. She touched the latter lightly on
the arm.

"Help us to escape," she said quickly. "I am weary of my task. Can we
get away without their seeing us?"

Mr. Sabin offered his arm. They passed along the broad way, and as
they were almost the last to leave the place, their carriage was easily
found. The Prince and Mr. Brott appeared only in time to see Mr. Sabin
turning away, hat in hand, from the curb-stone. Brott's face darkened.

"Prince," he said, "who is that man?"

The Prince shrugged his shoulders.

"A man," he said, "who has more than once nearly ruined your country.
His life has been a splendid failure. He would have given India to the
Russians, but they mistrusted him and trifled away their chance. Once
since then he nearly sold this country to Germany; it was a trifle only
which intervened. He has been all his life devoted to one cause."

"And that?" Brott asked.

"The restoration of the monarchy to France. He, as you of course know,
is the Duc de Souspennier, the sole living member in the direct line of
one of the most ancient and historical houses in England. My friend,"
he added, turning to Mr. Sabin, "you have stolen a march upon us. We had
not even an opportunity of making our adieux to the ladies."

"I imagine," Mr. Sabin answered, "that the cause of quarrel may rest
with them. You were nowhere in sight when they came out."

"These fascinating politics," the Prince remarked. "We all want to talk
politics to Mr. Brott just now."

"I will wish you good-night, gentlemen," Mr. Sabin said, and passed into
the hotel.

The Prince touched Brott on the arm.

"Will you come round to the club, and take a hand at bridge?" he said.

Brott laughed shortly.

"I imagine," he said, "that I should be an embarrassing guest to you
just now at, say the Mallborough, or even at the St. James. I believe
the aristocracy are looking forward to the possibility of my coming into
power with something like terror."

"I am not thoroughly versed; in the politics of this country," the
Prince said, "but I have always understood that your views were
very much advanced. Dorset solemnly believes that you are pledged to
exterminate the large landed proprietors, and I do not think he would be
surprised to hear that you had a guillotine up your sleeve."

The two men were strolling along Pall Mall