“But how unsuitable, my dear,” she exclaimed, “if you are really in earnest!  What is the use of your thinking of an Englishman?  He is quite nice, I know.  His mother and my mother were friends, and we met once or twice.  He was very kind to me in Paris, too.  But for a serious affair—­”

“Well, it may not come to that,” Anna interrupted, “but there it is.  I suppose that it is partly for his sake that I feel this depression.”

“I should have thought that he himself would have been a little out of sympathy with his country just now,” the Princess remarked.  “They tell me that the Foreign Office ate humble pie with the Kaiser for that affair shockingly.  They not only removed him from the Embassy, but they are going to give him nothing in Europe.  I heard for a fact that the Kaiser requested that he should not be attached to any Court with which Germany had diplomatic relations.”

Anna nodded.  “I believe that it is true,” she admitted, “but I am not sure that he realises it himself.  Even if he does, well, you know the type.  He is English to the backbone.”

“But there are Englishmen,” the Princess insisted earnestly, “who are amenable to common sense.  There are Englishmen who are sorrowing over the decline of their own country and who would not be so greatly distressed if she were punished a little.”

“I am afraid Mr. Norgate is not like that,” Anna observed drily.  “However, one cannot be sure.  Bother!  I thought people were very kind to leave us so long in peace.  Dear Prince, how clever of you to find out our retreat!”

The Ambassador stood bareheaded before them.

“Dear ladies,” he declared, “you are the lode-stones which would draw one even through these gossamer walls of lace and chiffons, of draperies as light as the sunshine and perfumes as sweet as Heine’s poetry.”

“Very pretty,” Anna laughed, “but what you really mean is that you were looking for two of your very useful slaves and have found them.”

The Ambassador glanced around.  Their isolation was complete.

“Ah! well,” he murmured, “it is a wonderful thing to be so charmingly aided towards such a wonderful end.”

“And to have such complete trust in one’s friends,” Anna remarked, looking him steadfastly in the face.

The Prince did not flinch.  His smile was perfectly courteous and acknowledging.

“That is my happiness,” he admitted.  “I will tell you the reason which directed my footsteps this way,” he added, drawing a small betting book from his pocket.  “You must back Prince Charlie for the next race.  I will, if you choose, take your commissions.  I have a man waiting at the rails.”

“Twenty pounds for me, please,” the Princess declared.  “I have the horse marked on my card, but I had forgotten for the moment.”

“And the same for me,” Anna begged.  “But did you really come only to bring us this valuable tip, Prince?”