his hand to his companions, turned into the court, entered a doorway and disappeared. 

 “Of all our follies,” said Colonel Geraldine in a low voice, “this is the wildest and most dangerous.” 

 “I perfectly believe so,” returned the Prince. 

 “We have still,” pursued the Colonel, “a moment to ourselves. Let me beseech your Highness to profit by the opportunity and retire. The consequences of this step are so dark, and may be so grave, that I feel myself justified in pushing a little farther than usual the liberty which your Highness is so condescending as to allow me in private.” 

 “Am I to understand that Colonel Geraldine is afraid?” asked his Highness, taking his cheroot from his lips, and looking keenly into the other’s face. 

 “My fear is certainly not personal,” replied the other proudly; “of that your Highness may rest well assured.” 

 “I had supposed as much,” returned the Prince, with undisturbed good humour; “but I was unwilling to remind you of the difference in our stations. No more—no more,” he added, seeing Geraldine about to apologise, “you stand excused.” 

 And he smoked placidly, leaning against a railing, until the young man returned. 

 “Well,” he asked, “has our reception been arranged?” 

 “Follow me,” was the reply. “The President will see you in the cabinet. And let me warn you to be frank in your answers. I have stood your guarantee; but the club requires a searching inquiry before admission; for the indiscretion of a single member would lead to the dispersion of the whole society for ever.” 

 The Prince and Geraldine put their heads together for a moment. “Bear me out in this,” said the one; and “bear me out in that,” said the other; and by boldly taking up the characters of men with whom both were acquainted, they had come to an agreement in a twinkling, and were ready to follow their guide into the President’s cabinet. 

 There were no formidable obstacles to pass. The outer door stood open; the door of the cabinet was ajar; and there, in a small but very high apartment, the young man left them once more. 

 “He will be here immediately,” he said, with a nod, as he disappeared. 

 Voices were audible in the cabinet through the folding doors 

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