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!’

‘You would muzzle us?’

’Muzzle, or anything you please; I would make any one related to me behave honourably.  I would give him the alternative . . .’

‘You foolish girl! suppose he took it?’

’I would make him feel my will.  He should not take it.  Keep to the circumstances, Harry.  If you have no control over him—­I should think I was not fit to live, in such a position!  No control over him at a moment like this? and the princess in danger of having her reputation hurt!  Surely, Harry!  But why should I speak to you as if you were undecided!’

‘Where is he?’

’At the house where you sleep.  He surrendered his rooms here very kindly.’

‘Aunty has seen him?’

Janet blushed:  I thought I knew why.  It was for subtler reasons than I should have credited her with conceiving.