haps a trifle
overmanicured. He wore a bunch of Parma violets in his buttonhole, and
he carried with him a very faint but unusual perfume, which seemed to
John like the odor of delicate green tea. It was just these details, and
the slowness of his speech, which alone accentuated his foreign origin.

"It occurred to me," he said, as he seated himself in an easy chair,
"that if you are really intending to make this experiment in town life
of which Miss Maurel spoke, I might be of some assistance to you. There
are certain matters, quite unimportant in themselves, concerning which
a little advice in the beginning may save you trouble."

"Very good of you, I am sure," John repeated. "To tell you the truth, I
was just looking through the telephone directory to see if I could come
across the name of a tailor I used to have some things from."

"If it pleases you to place yourself in my hands," the prince suggested,
"I will introduce you to my own tradespeople. I have made the selection
with some care."

"That will suit me admirably," John declared. "If you will just give me
the addresses--I couldn't think of taking up your time."

"I have, fortunately, an idle morning," the prince said, "and it is
entirely at your disposal. At half past one I believe we are both
lunching with Miss Maurel."

John was conscious of a momentary sense of annoyance. His _tete-a-tete_
with Louise seemed farther off than ever. At the prince's suggestion,
however, he fetched his hat and gloves and entered the former's
automobile, which was waiting below.

"Miss Maurel!" the prince remarked, as they glided off westward, "is, I
believe, inviting a few friends to meet you. If you would feel more
comfortable in town clothes, I think the tailor to whom I am taking you
will be able to arrange that. He makes special preparations for such
emergencies."

"I will do what you think best," John agreed.

They spent the morning in the neighborhood of Bond Street, and John laid
the foundations of a wardrobe more extensive than any he had ever
dreamed of possessing. At half past one they were shown into Louise's
little dressing room. There were three or four men already present,
standing around their hostess and sipping some faint yellow cordial from
long Venetian glasses.

Louise came forward to meet them, and made a little grimace as she
remarked the change in John's appearance.

"Honestly, I don't know you, and I don't believe I like you at all!" she
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