"Well, that's something, at any rate," said Denzil, with an air of
relief. "Don't cry, Helen, it bothers me. As for the 'sweet girl'
you have got in view for me, you will permit me to say that 'sweet
girls' are becoming uncommonly scarce in Britain. What with
bicycle riders and great rough tomboys generally, with large hands
and larger feet, I confess I do not care about them. I like a
womanly woman,--a graceful woman,--a fascinating, bewitching
woman, and the Princess is all that and more. Surely you consider
her beautiful?"

"Very beautiful indeed!" sighed poor Helen.--"Too beautiful!"

"Nonsense! As if any woman can be too beautiful! I am sorry you
won't come to the Mena House. It would be a change for you,--and
Gervase is going."

"Is he better to-day?" inquired Helen timidly.

"Oh, I believe he is quite well again. It was the heat or the
scent of the flowers, or something of that sort, that made him
faint last night. He is not acclimatized yet, you know. And he
said that the Princess's dancing made him giddy."

"I don't wonder at that," murmured Helen.

"It was marvellous--glorious!" said Denzil dreamily. "It was like
nothing else ever seen or imagined!"

"If she were your wife, would you care for her to dance before