Prince Abel plies Madame Plumer with fruit and compliments, and hears every word.
"Well." "Well, Miss Grace, she was so beautiful that many a lady became her friend, and many of those friends sighed for the brother's fiery eyes and blushed as they heard his honeyed tongue.

But he was looking for a queen.
At length came the Princess of Sheba--" "Are you talking of King Solomon ?" "No, Miss Plumer, only of Alcibiades.

And when the Princess of Sheba came near the villa the Prince of Este entreated her to visit him, promising that the sister should be there.

It was a pretty cage, I think; the sister was a lovely bird.

And the Princess came." He stops and drinks more wine.
"Very well! And then ?" "Why, then, she had a very pleasant visit," he says, gayly.
"Mr.Moultrie, is that the whole of the story ?" "No, indeed, Miss Plumer; but that is as far as we have got." "I want to hear the rest." "Don't be in such a hurry; you won't like the rest so well." "Yes; but that is my risk." "It _is_ your risk," says Sligo Moultrie, looking at her; "will you take it ?" "Of course I will," is the clear-eyed answer.
"Very well.