‘Prince Ernest has arrived?’

‘My father came yesterday evening.’

‘Do you leave to-day?’

‘I cannot tell; he will decide.’

It seemed a good omen, until I scanned Janet’s sombre face.

‘You will not see us out for the rest of the day, Harry,’ said she.

‘That is your arrangement?’

‘It is.’

‘Your own?’

‘Mine, if you like.’

There was something hard in her way of speaking, as though she blamed me, and the princess were under her protection against me.  She vouchsafed no friendly significance of look and tone.

In spite of my readiness to criticize her (which in our language means condemn) for always assuming leadership with whomsoever she might be, I was impressed by the air of high-bred friendliness existing between her and the princess.  Their interchange was pleasant to hear.  Ottilia had caught the spirit of her frank manner of speech; and she, though in a less degree, the princess’s fine ease and sweetness.  They conversed, apparently, like equal minds.  On material points, Janet unhesitatingly led.  It was she who brought the walk to a close.

’Now, Harry, you had better go and have a little sleep.  I should like to speak to you early.’

Ottilia immediately put her hand out to me.

I begged permission to see her to her door.

Janet replied for her, indicating old Schwartz:  ’We have a protector, you see, six feet and a half.’

An hour later, Schwartz was following her to the steps of her hotel.  She saw me, and waited.  For a wonder, she displayed reluctance in disburdening herself of what she had to say.  ’Harry, you know that he has come?  He and Prince Ernest came together.  Get him to leave the island at once:  he can return to-morrow.  Grandada writes of wishing to see him.  Get him away to-day.’

‘Is the prince going to stay here?’ I asked.

’No.  I daresay I am only guessing; I hope so.  He has threatened the prince.’

‘What with?’

’Oh!  Harry, can’t you understand?  I’m no reader of etiquette, but even I can see that the story of a young princess travelling over to England alone to visit . . . and you . . ., and her father fetching her away!  The prince is almost at his mercy, unless you make the man behave like a gentleman.  This is exactly the thing Miss Goodwin feared!’

‘But who’s to hear of the story?’ said I.

Janet gave an impatient sigh.

‘Do you mean that my father has threatened to publish it, Janet?’

’I won’t say he has.  He has made the prince afraid to move:  that I think is true.’

‘Did the princess herself mention it to you?’

‘She understands her situation, I am sure.’

‘Did she speak of “the man,” as you call him?’

’Yes:  not as I do.  You must try by-and-by to forgive me.  Whether he set a trap or not, he has decoyed her—­don’t frown at words—­and it remains for you to act as I don’t doubt you will; but lose no time.  Determine.  Oh! if I were a man!’