r table as they danced, the rhythm
of the music rose and fell above the murmur of laughter and
conversation. John looked around the room, and a sort of despair crept
in upon him. It was no good! He had come to London to understand; he
understood nothing. He was made of the wrong fiber. If only he could
change himself! If it were not too late! If he could make himself like
other men!

He turned and glanced at his companion. Sophy was looking very sweet and
very wistful. The warm touch of her fingers was grateful. Her sympathy
was like some welcome flower in a wilderness. His heart ached with a new
desire. If only he could make himself different! If only he could
stretch out his hand for the flowers which made the lives of other men
so sweet!

"I must not ask you any more questions, Sophy," he said. "You are her
friend, and you have spoken very sweetly. To-morrow I will go and see
her."

"And to-night, forget it all," she pleaded. "Wipe it out of your memory.
Louise and your future belong to to-morrow. To-night she is not here,
and I am. Even if you are furiously in love with her, there isn't any
harm in your being just a little nice to me. Give me some champagne; and
I want some caviar sandwiches!"

"I wonder why you are so good to me, Sophy!" he exclaimed, as he gave
the order to a waiter. "You ought either to marry your young man down at
Bath, or to have a sweetheart of your own, a companion, some one quite
different."

"How different?"

"Some one who cared for you as you deserve to be cared for, and whom you
cared for, too."

"I cannot take these things as lightly as I used to," she answered a
little sadly. "Something has come over me lately--I don't know what it
is--but I seem to have lost my taste for flirtations. John, don't look
up, don't turn round! I have been afraid of the prince all the evening.
When you came in, I fancied that you had been drinking. When the prince
asked me something about you, an hour or so ago, I knew that he had. I
saw him like it once before, about a year ago. Don't take any notice of
him! Don't talk to him, if you can help it!"

John was scarcely conscious of her words. A new glow of excitement
seemed to be taking entire possession of him, to be thrilling his blood,
to be shining out of his eyes. He rose slowly to his feet. It was as if
he were being drawn forward out of himself to meet some coming
challenge.

Toward their table the prince was slowly making his way, skilfull