. The Prince had lit a large
cigar, and was apparently on the best of terms with himself and the
world in general. Brott, on the contrary, was most unlike himself,
preoccupied, and apparently ill at ease.

"The Duke and his class are, of course, my natural opponents," Brott
said shortly. "By the bye, Prince," he added, suddenly turning towards
him, and with a complete change of tone, "it is within your power to do
me a favour."

"You have only to command," the Prince assured him good-naturedly.

"My rooms are close here," Brott continued. "Will you accompany me
there, and grant me the favour of a few minutes' conversation?"

"Assuredly!" the Prince answered, flicking the end off his cigar. "It
will be a pleasure."

They walked on towards their destination in silence. Brott's secretary
was in the library with a huge pile of letters and telegrams before him.
He welcomed Brott with relief.

"We have been sending all over London for you, sir," he said.

Brott nodded.

"I am better out of the way for the present," he answered. "Deny me to
everybody for an hour, especially Letheringham. There is nothing here, I
suppose, which cannot wait so long as that?"

The secretary looked a little doubtful.

"I think not, sir," he decided.

"Very good. Go and get something to eat. You look fagged. And tell Hyson
to bring up some liqueurs, will you! I shall be engaged for a short
time."

The secretary withdrew. A servant appeared with a little tray of
liqueurs, and in obedience to an impatient gesture from his master, left
them upon the table. Brott closed the door firmly.

"Prince," he said, resuming his seat, "I wished to speak with you
concerning the Countess."

Saxe Leinitzer nodded.

"All right," he said. "I am listening!"

"I understand," Brott continued, "that you are one of her oldest
friends, and also one of the trustees of her estates. I presume that you
stand to her therefore to some extent in the position of an adviser?"

"It is perfectly true," the Prince admitted.

"I, too, am an old friend, as she has doubtless told you," Brott said.
"All my life she has been the one woman whom I have desired to call my
wife. That desire has never been so strong as at the present moment."

The Prince removed his cigar from his mouth and looked grave.

"But, my dear Brott," he said, "have you considered the enormous gulf
between your--views? The Countess owns great hereditary estates, she
comes from a family which i