not an amorous but a political intrigue.

I communicated, at a late hour, with the senior of the three men
watching the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke that evening had sent a
handsome piece of jewellery purchased in Rue de la Paix to the dancer.
It had been returned.

In the morning I met with the good Casimir at his favorite cafe. He
had just discovered that Zara el-Khala drove daily to the Bois de
Boulogne, alone, and that afternoon the Grand Duke had determined to
accost her during her solitary walk. I prepared myself for this event.
Arrayed in a workman's blouse and having a modest luncheon and a small
bottle of wine in a basket, I concealed myself in that part of the
Bois which was the favourite recreation ground of the dancer, and
awaited her appearance.

The Grand Duke appeared first upon the scene, accompanied by Casimir.
The latter pointed out to him a path through the trees along which
Zara el-Khala habitually strolled and showed him the point at which
she usually rejoined the Hindu who followed along the road with the
car. They retired. I seated myself beneath a tree from whence I could
watch the path and the road and began to partake of the repast which
I had brought with me.

At about three o'clock the dancer's car appeared, and the girl,
veiled as usual, stepped out, and having exchanged a few words with
the Indian, began to walk slowly towards me, sometimes pausing to
watch a bird in the boughs above her and sometimes to examine some
wild plant growing beside the way. I ate cheese from the point of a
clasp-knife and drank wine out of the bottle.