"Louise is a dear. Considering every
thing, I think she Is wonderful. But
you are utterly different. She is very
complex, very emotional, and she has
her own standards of life. You, on the
other hand, are very simple, very faith
ful and honest, and you accept the
standards which have been made for
youvery, very rigidly, John. What
are you looking at?"-
John's whole expression had sudden
ly changed. His eyes were fixed upon
the door, his face was stern as a gran
ite block. Sophy turned quickly
around. The maitre d'hotel, with an
other satellite in his rear, was welcom
ing with much ceremony two lately nd
rived guests. Sophy clutched at the
tablecloth. The newcomers were Lou
ise 'and the prince of Seyre.
"I don't understand this!" John mut
tered, his lips twitching.
Sophy Gerard said nothing. Her
cheeks were pink with excitement.
Suddenly Louise saw John and So
phy. She stood quite still for a mo
ment then she came toward them,
slowly and a little languidly. The
prince was still studying through his
eyeglass the various tables which the
head waiter was offering for his con
sideration.
"What an astonishing meeting!"
Louise remarked, as1
she laid her hand
for a moment on Sophy's shoulder.
"What is going on behind my back?"
John rose very slowly to his feet. He
seemed taller than ever, and Louise's
smile remained unanswered.
"The rain broke up my week-endl
party," he explained, "and I met Sophy'
in the Strand. In any case, I intended
returning tonight. I understood that
you would not be here until tomorrow
about eleven o'clock.
