"Well, what is the engagement ?" "I had a date to ride with Uncle Jack at eleven." "And you imagine that 'Uncle Jack' will be annoyed if he is kept waiting by such a trivial matter as a cabinet meeting, unfortunately prolonged ?" "I don't know just what that means," murmured the Prince.

Then his face brightened.

"But I don't think he'll be sore after I tell him how busy we've been." The Duke put his hand over his mouth.

"I don't think he'll mind half an hour's wait, do you ?" "He likes me to be very prompt." Count Halfont interposed, good-humouredly.

"There is nothing more to come before us to-day, your Grace, so I fancy we may as well close the meeting.