"One would scarcely expect to see you here, Mr. Deulin," she said,
shaking hands, with a playful shake of the head.

"Since you are here," he answered, "there can be no harm. It is only a
garden-party, after all."

And he bowed over Netty's head with an empressement which would have
conveyed to any one more versed in the ways of men the reason why he had
come.

"Do you bet, Mr. Deulin?" inquired Jooly.

"Never, unless I am quite sure," he answered.

"There is," observed Miss Mangles, who was inclined to be
gracious--"there is perhaps less harm in that."

"And less risk," explained Deulin gravely. "But surely," he said, in a
lower tone, turning to Netty, "you know the Princess Wanda? Did you not
meet her at Lady Orlay's?"

Netty had already displayed some interest in Martin Bukaty, which was
perhaps indiscreet. For a young man's vanity is singularly alert, and he
was quite ready to return the interest with interest, so to speak.

"Yes," she replied, "we met her at Lady Orlay's. But I think she does
not remember--though she seemed to recollect Mr. Cartoner, whom she met
at the same time."