ng for a single and
steadfast attachment. Of course, if Louise wants to monopolize you, I
shall fall into the background, as I usually do; but if you think that
I am going to accept hints and let you go out to dinner alone, you are
very much mistaken. To-night, at any rate, I insist upon coming!"

Louise shook her head.

"We shall have to put up with her," she told John with a little grimace.

The door of the room was suddenly opened. The parlor maid stood at one
side.

"The Prince of Seyre, madam," she announced.

Louise nodded. She was evidently expecting the visit. She turned to
John.

"Will you come back and call for us here--say at seven o'clock? Mind,
you are not to bother about your clothes, but to come just as you are. I
can't tell you," she added under her breath, "how much I am looking
forward to our evening!"

Sophy sprang to her feet.

"Won't you drop me, please, Mr. Strangewey?" she asked. "Then, if you
will be so kind, you can pick me up again on your way here. You'll have
to pass where I live, if you are at the Milan. I must go home and do my
little best to compete."

Louise's frown was so slight that even John failed to notice it. Upon
the threshold they encountered the prince, who detained John for a
moment.

"I was hoping that I might meet you here, Mr. Strangewey," he said. "If
you are in town for long, it will give me great pleasure if I can be of
any service to you. You are staying at a hotel?"

"I am staying at the Milan," John replied.

"I will do myself the pleasure of calling upon you," the prince
continued. "In the meantime, if you need any service that a Londoner can
offer you, be sure to let me know. You will easily find my house in
Grosvenor Square."

"It is very kind of you indeed," John said gratefully.

Sophy made a wry face as the prince entered the drawing-room.

"Didn't some old Roman once write something about being afraid of Greeks
who brought gifts?" she asked, as they descended the stairs together.

"Quite right," John assented.

"Well, be careful!" she advised him. "That's all."

* * * * *

John handed Sophy into the taxi and took his place beside her.

"Where shall I put you down?" he asked.

"It's such a terribly low neighborhood! However, it's quite close to the
Milan--No. 10 Southampton Street."

John gave the address to the man, and they started off. They were
blocked in a stream of traffic almost as soon as they rea