have you got?" asked the Colonel, somewhat abashed.

"Princes, generals, envoys, and heads of departments."

"Good heavens! legions of honor and golden fleeces!"

"Just so," said Upton, smiling at the dismay in the other's countenance;
"I have had such a party as you describe to-day. Are they gone yet,
Franchetti?"

"They're at coffee, your Excellency, but the Prince has ordered his
carriage."

"And you did not go near them?" asked Harcourt, in amazement.

"No; I was poorly, as you see me," said Upton, smiling. "Pipo tells me,
however, that the dinner was a good one, and I am sure they pardon my
absence."

"Foreign ease, I've no doubt; though I can't say I like it," muttered
Harcourt. "At all events, it is not for _me_ to complain, since the
accident has given me the pleasure of your society."

"You are about the only man I could have admitted," said Upton, with
a certain graciousness of look and manner that, perhaps, detracted a
little from its sincerity.

Fortunately, not so to Harcourt's eyes, for he accepted the speech in
all honesty and good faith, as he said, "Thank you heartily, my boy. The
welcome is better even than the dinner, and that is saying a good deal.
No more wine, thank you; I 'm going to have a cigar, and, with your
leave, I 'll ask for some brandy and water."

This was addressed to Franchetti, who speedily reappeared with a liqueur
stand and an ebony cigar-case.

"Try these, George; they 're better than your own," said Upton, dryly.

"That I will," cried Harcourt, laughing; "I'm determined to draw all
my resources from the country in occupation, especially as they are
superior to what I can obtain from home. This same career of yours,
Upton, strikes me as rather a good thing. You have all these things duty
free?"

"Yes, we have that privilege," said Upton, sighing.

"And the privilege of drawing some few thousand pounds per annum, paid
messengers to and from England, secret-service money, and the rest of
it, eh?"

Upton smiled, and sighed again.

"And what do you do for all that,--I mean, what are you expected to do?"

"Keep your party in when they are in; disconcert the enemy when your
friends are out."

"And is that always a safe game?" asked Harcourt, eagerly.

"Not when played by unskilful players, my dear George. They occasionally
make sad work, and get bowled out themselves for their pains; but
there's no great harm in that neither."

"How do you mean there 's no harm