He was, moreover, a modern product of those seats of athletic exercise.

He had little education and highly developed muscles--that is to say, he was no scholar but essentially a gentleman--a good enough education in its way, and long may Britons seek it! This young man's name was Paul Howard Alexis, and Fortune had made him a Russian prince.

If, however, anyone, even Steinmetz, called him prince, he blushed and became confused.

This terrible title had brooded over him while at Eton and Cambridge.

But no one had found him out; he remained Paul Howard Alexis so far as England and his friends were concerned.