AN ACCIDENT The Prince accepted my most comfortable easy chair with an air of graceful condescension.

Lady Angela had already seated herself.

It was late in the afternoon, and Grooton was busy in the room behind, preparing my tea.
"The Prince did not care to shoot to-day," Lady Angela explained, "and I have been showing him the neighbourhood.

Incidentally, I am dying for some tea, and the Prince has smoked all his cigarettes." The Prince raised his hand in polite expostulation, but he accepted a cigarette with a little sigh of relief.
"You have found a very lonely spot for your dwelling-house, Mr.
Ducaine," he said.

"You English are so fond of solitude." "It suits me very well," I answered, "for just now I have a great deal of work to do.