always exaggerate the prowess of their own folk, and my brother and I
are natives."

"I trust," the prince concluded, "that you will give me the opportunity
of judging for myself. And now, dear lady," he went on, turning to
Louise, "I am loath to lose another minute of my promised visit. I have
taken the liberty of telling your maid to place your wraps in my car. We
can reach Raynham in time for a late lunch. Your own car can follow us
and bring your maid."

For a moment Louise did not reply. The prince had moved a few steps
away, to give some directions to his chauffeur, and he saw nothing of
the strange look of indecision that had suddenly crept into her face.
Her eyebrows were contracted. She had turned, and was gazing up the
precipitous strip of moorland toward the gray-walled church. Then she
glanced at John Strangewey, and her eyes seemed filled with the
questioning of a child. It was as if she had abandoned the role of
mentor, as if she herself were seeking for guidance or help.

John's unspoken response was prompt and unmistakable; and she smiled
ever so slightly. She no longer thought him narrow and prejudiced, an
unfair judge of things beyond his comprehension. He had helped her in a
moment of trial. An idea had flashed between them, and she acted upon it
with amazing promptitude.

"Alas, prince," she sighed, as he turned back toward them, "I am so
sorry, but I fear that this little accident must change all my plans! As
you know, mine was to have been only a brief stay at Raynham, and I fear
now that even that is impossible."

The prince drew a step nearer. Something of the calm suavity had
suddenly gone from his manner. When he spoke, his measured words were
full of appeal.

"But, my dear friend," he begged, "you will not rob me altogether of
this visit, to which I have looked forward so eagerly? It was to receive
you for a few hours that I came from Paris and opened Raynham Castle.
You yourself shall decide the length of your stay, and a special train
shall take you back to London the moment you give the word. In that way
you will both save time and spare me--one of the greatest
disappointments of my life!"

She shook her head, slowly and very decisively.

"You cannot imagine how sorry I am, prince," she said, "but as it is I
must take a special train from Kendal, if there is not one starting
soon after I reach the station. I wish to reach London either this
evening or very early in the morning."