usual. "Then don't you come, Miss Murray. We'll tell you all about
it afterwards."

"I have no curiosity on the subject," she said a trifle coldly.
"Denzil, you will find me in the drawing-room. I have a letter to
write home."

With a slight salute she left them, Gervase watching the
disappearance of her graceful figure with a tinge of melancholy
regret in his eyes.

"It is evident Mademoiselle Helen does not like the Princess
Ziska," he observed.

"Oh, well, as to that," said Fulkeward hastily, "you know you
can't expect women to lose their heads about her as men do.
Beside, there's something rather strange in the Princess's manner
and appearance, and perhaps Miss Murray doesn't take to her any
more than I do."

"Oh, then you are not one of her lovers?" queried Dr. Dean
smiling.

"No; are you?"

"I? Good heavens, my dear young sir, I was never in love with a
woman in my life! That is, not what YOU would call in love. At the
age of sixteen I wrote verses to a mature young damsel of forty,--
a woman with a remarkably fine figure and plenty of it; she
rejected my advances with scorn, and I have never loved since!"