The Great Prince Shan

self on one elbow from the sofa on which she was resting, glanced at the roses and the

waits," the wom

lock of sea gulls became dimly visible through the branches of the distant trees. The window itself was flung wide open, but the slowly moving air had little of freshness

ving woman repeated stolidly,

," her mistress repl

f soaps and perfumes. His step was buoyant, almost jaunty, yet in his blue eyes, as he bent over the hand of the woman upon whom he h

"that you receive me thus so informally. Your good

ned him t

re possessed to see me at this untimely hour. I always rest for a time after lunc

he announced slowly. "I thought it m

er head and

s from you means only one

g and tedious journey, because it saves me also from

to China, then

an has decided after all to adhere to

are s

ay probably have to go to Paris, but no farther.

enuinely

d," she declared, "whom I have wan

When he enters the room, you know that you are in the presence of a great

d a little

enjoined. "Remember that I am here to watch and

te me that you had his entire confidence-that you possessed f

false to my convic

tisfied, but he judged the moment unpropitious for

d at last, "and for that reason a promise w

ds the door leading to the apartments beyond. He watched her without movement. She picked up a

he warned him, "to

ive myself permission to speak. Your father is even wishful that I should do so. I crave from

ir of aloofness with which she moved through the world seemed suddenly more marked. He would have been

impossible,"

et. I had meant to wait until the great pact was sealed and the glory to come assured, but during these last few days I have suffered. A strange fancy has come to me. I seem to feel s

lf. Her mouth, sometimes almost too voluptuous in its softness, had straightened into a firm line of scarlet. The deeper vi

t and anxiety to me. What you ask is impossible. I do not love you. I shall never love you. A few days

as though the anger would predominate. His great shoulders heaved, his hands were clenched until t

eam concerning Pa

ul dream," she went on reflectively, "the dream of ruling the mightiest nation in the world, a nation that even now, after many years of travail, is only just finding

country to you," he went on passionately. "It is you who have helped in the great rapprochement. At times when Paul has been difficult, you have smoothed the way. I would not speak against your country, I would not speak against anything which lies close to your heart, but let me

ook he

n and something of an altruist, but when it comes to marriage, I

is face now. Unconsciously he h

within the last few days? Tell me, is there any one else who has found his way into your heart? No, I will not say heart

scar, and mine only,"

cowed him. She remained a dominating figure. The unnatural restraint imposed upon himself, however, made his voice sound h

nd that some one else should chance to be an

, Oscar Immelan, and if you ever interfered with him, either in this coun

sunshine upon the river; more of the dusty chimney-pots seemed bathed in its silvery radiance. As she stood there, she felt herself growing calmer. The tension passed from her nerves. Her eyes grew soft again. Then an impulse came to her. She stretched out her hand for the telephone book, turned over the pages restlessly,