r before you to consider my
proposal. It is more serious than a cream tart," he added, with a smile;
"and I suspect more palatable."

"More serious, certainly," returned Colonel Geraldine; "and as it is so
much more so, will you allow me five minutes' speech in private with my
friend Mr. Godall?"

"It is only fair," answered the young man. "If you will permit, I will
retire."

"You will be very obliging," said the Colonel.

As soon as the two were alone--"What," said Prince Florizel, "is the use
of this confabulation, Geraldine? I see you are flurried, whereas my
mind is very tranquilly made up. I will see the end of this."

"Your Highness," said the Colonel, turning pale; "let me ask you to
consider the importance of your life, not only to your friends, but to
the public interest. 'If not to-night,' said this madman; but supposing
that to-night some irreparable disaster were to overtake your Highness's
person, what, let me ask you, what would be my despair, and what the
concern and disaster of a great nation?"

"I will see the end of this," repeated the Prince in his most deliberate
tones; "and have the kindness, Colonel Geraldine, to remember and
respect your word of honour as a gentleman. Under no circumstances,
recollect, nor without my special authority, are you to betray the
incognito under which I choose to go abroad. These were my commands,
which I now reiterate. And now," he added, "let me ask you to call for
the bill."

Colonel Geraldine bowed in submission; but he had a very white face as
he summoned the young man of the cream tarts, and issued his directions
to the waiter. The Prince preserved his undisturbed demeanour, and
described a Palais-Royal farce to the young suicide with great humour
and gusto. He avoided the Colonel's appealing looks without ostentation,
and selected another cheroot with more than usual care. Indeed, he was
now the only man of the party who kept any command over his nerves.

The bill was discharged, the Prince giving the whole change of the note
to the astonished waiter; and the three drove off in a four-wheeler.
They were not long upon the way before the cab stopped at the entrance
to a rather dark court. Here all descended.

After Geraldine had paid the fare, the young man turned, and addressed
Prince Florizel as follows:--

"It is still time, Mr. Godall, to make good your escape into thraldom.
And for you too, Major Hammersmith. Reflect well before you take another