though its possessor belonged to another.

Clayton appeared nervous and ill at ease while you were the subject
of conversation. He wore a worried and harassed expression. Yet
he was very kindly in his expressions of interest in you. I wonder
if he suspects the truth about you?

Tennington came in with Clayton. They are great friends, you know.
He is about to set out upon one of his interminable cruises in that
yacht of his, and was urging the entire party to accompany him.
Tried to inveigle me into it, too. Is thinking of circumnavigating
Africa this time. I told him that his precious toy would take him
and some of his friends to the bottom of the ocean one of these
days if he didn't get it out of his head that she was a liner or
a battleship.

I returned to Paris day before yesterday, and yesterday I met the
Count and Countess de Coude at the races. They inquired after
you. De Coude really seems quite fond of you. Doesn't appear to
harbor the least ill will. Olga is as beautiful as ever, but a
trifle subdued. I imagine that she learned a lesson through her
acquaintance with you that will serve her in good stead during the
balance of her life. It is fortunate for her, and for De Coude as
well, that it was you and not another man more sophisticated.

Had you really paid court to Olga's heart I am afraid that there
would have been no hope for either of you.

She asked me to tell you that Nikolas had left France. She paid him
twenty thousand francs to go away, and stay. She is congratulating