ail of the box, her chin in her hand, her eyes
looking steadily ahead, enthralled by the music. Suddenly she turned and
looked squarely into his eyes, as if impelled by the magnetism they
unconsciously employed. A little flush mounted to her brow as she
quickly resumed her former attitude. Chase cursed himself for a
brainless lout.

The number came to an end and the crowd arose to cheer the bowing,
smiling director. Chase cheered and shouted "bravo," too, because _she_
was applauding as eagerly as the others. She called the flushed, bowing
director to her box, and publicly thanked him for the pleasure he had
given. Chase saw him kiss her hand as he murmured his gratitude. For the
first time in his life he coveted the occupation of an orchestra leader.

The director was a frail, rather good-looking young man, with piercing
black eyes that seemed too bold in their scrutiny of the young lady's
face. Chase began to hate him; he was unreasonably thankful when he
passed on to the box in which the Duke sat.

The third and last time he saw the Princess Genevra before his sudden,
spectacular departure from the Grand Duchy, was at the Duke's reception
to the nobility of Rapp-Thorberg and to the representatives of such
nations of the world as felt the necessity of having a man there in an
official capacity.

CHAPTER IV

THE INDISCREET MR. CHASE

There was not a handsomer, more striking figure in the palace gardens on
the night of the reception than Hollingsworth Chase, nor one whose poise
proved that he knew the world quite as well as it is possible for any
one man to know it. His was an unique figure, also, for he was easily
distinguishable as the only American in the brilliant assemblage.

He was presented to the Princess late in the evening, together with
Baggs of the British office. His pride and confidence received a severe
shock. She glanced at him with unaffected welcome, but the air of one
who was looking upon his face for the first time. It was not until he
had spent a full hour in doleful self-commiseration, that his sense of
worldliness came to his relief. In a flash, he was joyously convincing
himself that her pose during the presentation was artfully--and very
properly--assumed. He saw through it very plainly! How simple he had
been! Of course, she could not permit him to feel that she had ever
displayed the slightest interest in him! His spirits shot upward so
suddenly that Baggs accused him of "neg