whispered to Peter as he passed me—

"Something serious has happened; take back your partner and come instantly to me."

Peter, for once, did as he was told, but not without being stupid enough to say to his partner that he hoped to have the pleasure of dancing with her again, and that he expected the two ladies to join him and his friend at supper. He was sure his friend would be delighted.

[Pg 26]

[Pg 26]

"That's the nicest girl I have danced with to-night," said Peter, considerably excited, "but I cannot get her to talk."

"Come out, you idiot," was all I could say.

"That is polite, I must observe; Boulogne air is not agreeable to some people."

"Tell me, what rubbish have you been talking to your partner, and how did you manage to get her to waltz with you?"

"Cool! jealous! of course all the best girls must be reserved for the Sultan. Don't be cross; if you fancy my partner, take her. Perhaps you will be able to make her speak, and I will transfer my attentions to her friend," replied the incorrigible Peter.

"Talk sense one second; you will be serious enough when I tell you what I have discovered. I ask you if you have the slightest notion who we are dancing with?"

"Not I, she would not open her mouth, but she is a deuced fine girl."

"Why, madman, that girl is your own wife; they are both here."

The only plan was to bribe more than the opposition, and, reluctantly enough, I went and made terms with my pleasant debtor. "What he knew did not amount to much; the enemy had said it was a lark to see what we were about, and by making him a present got him to assist them." He kindly found out for them where we were stopping, and the hideous dresses in which we were to disfigure ourselves.

Peter was o£ no assistance to me in the dilemma; the startling intelligence had quite upset his equilibrium. No more jokes now about the nicest girl he had danced with that night. I made use of the tall man, however, as he had been paid by both sides. He obtained for me a blank telegram for a message received, and on it I had written a request from the proprietor 

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