h Chase, nor one whose poise proved that he knew the world quite as well as it is possible for any one man to know it

until he had spent a full hour in doleful self-commiseration, that his sense of worldliness came to his relief. In a flash, he was joyously convincing himself that her pose during the presentation was artfully-and very properly-assumed. He saw through it very plainly! Ho

e these the officers of the Royal Guard that he had so often laughed at in disdain? Could that gay old gentleman in red and gold be the morbid, carelessly clad Duke of Rapp-Thorberg, whom he had grown to despise because he seemed so ridiculously

e knew his proper place. It must be admitted, however, that he was never far distant from her, but perhaps chanc

ourt off toward the pavilion under which the royal orchestra was playing. As if it were a signal, every one turned his steps in that direction. Chase and the Englishman had been conversing diligently with an ancient co

again?" whispered

repeat the great number which had so stirred the musical world at the concert the week before. Chase's look of despair was instantly banished by the

his sword clanked madly against his nimble legs as he bowed and scraped his grateful recognition of the honour. This time Chase was not where he could watch the Princess; he found, therefore, that he cou

th the others; oddly, this time he was as mad as they. A score or more of

fair girl at his side, kindly. "It is no

eir cigars in an obscure corner of the gardens, off in the s

ured reflectively, as he seated himself

wrote it himself," draw

out the music," cor

aggs, apologetic

ven't you noticed her?" with

By Jove, do you know she is go

es of the women, the guttural pleasantries of the men. They lazily observed the approach of one couple, attracted, no doubt, by the disparity in the height of the two shadows. The man was at least half a head shorter than his companion, but his ardour seemed a thousandfold more vast. Chase was amused by

? Yes, the nimble conductor! The sensation of the hour-the musical lion! Moreover, to Chase's c

to the dismay of the smokers, apparently were unaware of their presence in the shadows. Chase's heart was b

rth Chase's sudden banishment from Rapp-Thorberg, and ca

ant "no" of the Princess, oft repeated, did much to relieve the pain in the heart of her American admirer. Finally, with an unmistakable cry of anger, she halted not t

to appeal to my father again. The whole situation is loathsome to me. Are you blind? Can you no

ately. "I adore you. You are the queen of my life, the holder of my soul. Genevra, Genevra, I love

ing with anger. The little conductor's manner changed on the instant. He gave a snarl of rage and despair co

some day! You shall learn what a man ca

lf paralysed with alarm. Not a word was spoken. Chase whirled the presumptuous suitor about until he faced the gates to the garden. Then, with more force than he realised, he applied his

viciously toward the gates and then, with new alarm, saw him pick himself up from the ground, writhing with pain and anger. His sword flashed from its scabbard as, with a scream of rage, he dashed upon the tall intruder. She saw Chase-even in the shadows s

as a command that no one in Rap

r, tugging at his collar. "Scoundrel! Dog! Beas

k a threatening step toward his adversary. The latter was discreet, if not actually a coward. He turned tail and ran twenty

the palace, his back as straight as a ramrod, but his legs a trifle unsteady. The trio watched him for a full minute, speech-bound now that th

s, do you know w

" muttered Chase, straightening his cuffs, vague

he's the chap she

" gaspe

prince of Brabet

d Lo

st have

hang it all, man, he was annoying her. She was flouting him

was a quaint little wrinkle of mirth about her lips, which

serious mistake. But," she added frankly, holding out

ak. Baggs was pulling at his mustache and looking ne

ere with the gua

ill be very angry. I am sorry, indeed, that you should have witness

nt, your highness, he was annoying

raver annoyance. What can I do to set the matter right?

d me," she said meaningly. "Oh, I'm so sorry. It may-it w

" murmured Chase

" said Baggs. "He's a prince, you know.

dignity to-to my-to his future son-in-law. I am afraid he may take extreme measures. Believe me, I understand why you

muttered the

u for what you have done," she said, so na?vely that he li

ng, stupid ass for not knowing who he

moment, and an entrancing

Let the world think that you did know. It will not laugh, then. If you can tru

this time with joy. She wou

afraid the affair will not end with to-night. It grieves me

ation that she was to wed the little musician. The thought burst from his lips before h

y, a touch of hauteur in her voice. "Good-night.

among the trees. A moment later her voice

softly. "They are com

They did not know that the Princess, upon meeting the soldiers, told them that the two men had

were far from the walls. "The Duke may have you

e same thing if you hadn't been brought up to fall on your face before r

orrow night, my word for it. And you'll be lucky if that's all. The Duke's a terro

This time it appears to be the American who is slow witted. Wha

e cathedral-all that sort of rot, you know. He's a confounded little bounder, just the same. He's mad about music and women and don't care a hang about wine. The worst kind, don't you know. I say, it's a rotten shame she has to marry him. But that'

e Chase of his office; he was unceremonious

he Princess Genevra that kept him f