"I heard what you and Sir Charles were saying," she declared
quietly. "Please tell me what it is that has happened to Dicky?"

The Prince's face was grave.

"I am sorry," he replied. "I did not know that our voices would
travel so far."

"It was not yours," she said. "It was Sir Charles'. Tell me
quickly what it is that has happened?"

"Mr. Vanderpole," the Prince answered, "has met with an
accident,--a somewhat serious one, I fear. Perhaps," he added,
"it would be as well, after all, to break this to the Duchess. I
was forgetting the prejudices of your country. She will doubtless
wish that our party should be broken up."

Penelope was suddenly very white. He whispered in her ear.

"Be brave," he said. "It is your part."

She stood still for a moment, and then moved on. His words had
had a curious effect upon her. The buzzing in her ears had
ceased; there was something to be done--she must do it! She
passed into the box, the door of which the attendant was holding
open.

"Duchess," she said, "I am so sorry, but I am afraid that
something has happened to Dicky. If you do not mind, I am going