thousands, all called her Flossie, and she was probably the most popular American woman who had ever married into the English peerage. Her brot

was content as a rule to do most of the talking for herself, his inattention became at last a little too obvious. He g

stioning smile. "A certain amount of non-responsiveness to my advances I can put up with-from a brother-but this morning you are

Harris was the all too perfect captain of his yacht lying then in the harbour, whose worst complaint was that he had never enoug

"Harris is all right, and I've promised him we'll make

and so would Harry. We could easily get together a delightful party. The Pelhams are here and simply dying for

t," her brot

why

her, "until I can ask

ed, with upraised eyebrows. "I'll b

don't know her yet," the yo

aned back in her

In love with a fair unknown, are you, Dick? Be careful. Monte Carlo is full of young ladies wh

that sort," th

, leaning across the table, her h

her almost co

a man can be utterly and entirely sure of. She is one of them. Say, Flossie," he added, the en

wonder?" Lady We

"I heard her tell the man she was with this morning-her father, I believe-about an ho

urne laugh

you! Dick, what a fraud you are! I was thinking what a dear, affection

on ceremony, need we? I've always been your pal; gave you a leg up wi

no

ed. "If she is any one in particular I expec

?tre d'h?tel had hastened out to receive them. They were, without doubt, people of importance. The man was of medium height, with iron-grey hair and moustache, and a small imperial. He wore light clothes of perfect cut; patent shoes with white linen gaiters; a black tie fastened with a pin of opals. He carried himself with an air which was unmistakable and convincin

Richard asked, in a

ook he

but I don't. They've pro

lass filled with what seemed to be vermouth. While he sipped it he smoked a Russian cigarette and with a gold pencil wrote out the menu of his luncheon. In a few minutes the manager himself came hurrying out from the re

ace well, and I can tell you one thing-they are people of importance. You can tel

ce at the girl. I am sorry you don't know them," he went on, "but you've got to find out who they

uld never be able to manage those awful trustees.

so keen on last time we were in London, if you'll get m

ybourne

claimed. "Dicky, are you,

," he assured her. "Something has got hol

girls of London and New York to the no less enterprising young women of his own order. As she sat there studying his features, she felt a sensation almost of awe. There was something entirely different, something stronger in his face. She thought for a moment

do my best to earn it. I on

demanded, looking

ough I don't suppose any sister is particularly keen upon her brother's young women, that I think

at introduction?" he asked blun

ier was offering. "Get me some cream for my coffee, Dick. Now I'll tell you," she continued, as the waiter disappeared. "You will have to c

nsible enough,

are. Don't do anything foolish. Remember this isn't an ordinar

't help it. I don't know whether she noticed. I believe she did. Once our eyes did meet, and although I'll swear she never

e luncheon. Then he ordered a table for the next day, and slipping

e gentleman and young lady who are si

direction indicated. He did not at once rep

. Monsieur Ciro does not like anything in the way of gossip about our clients

. You go over to the desk there, write me down the name and bring it, and there's

few minutes he came back again and

begged earnestly, "but if he will be so go

ded and wav

" he p

it in a puzzled manner. Then he passed it t

schief," he exclaimed