appointment before.

You know him? He has been here?'

'He dined with us last night,' said Racksole - 'on Nella's invitation,'
he added maliciously; 'but to-day we have seen nothing of him. I
know, however, that he has engaged the State apartments, and also
a suite adjoining the State apartments - No. 55. That is so, isn't it,
Nella?'

'Yes, Papa,' she said, having first demurely examined a ledger.
'Your Highness would doubtless like to be conducted to your room
- apartments I mean.' Then Nella laughed deliberately at the
Prince, and said, 'I don't know who is the proper person to conduct
you, and that's a fact. The truth is that Papa and I are rather raw yet
in the hotel line. You see, we only bought the place last night.'

'You have bought the hotel!' exclaimed the Prince.

'That's so,' said Racksole.

'And Felix Babylon has gone?'

'He is going, if he has not already gone.'

'Ah! I see,' said the Prince; 'this is one of your American "strokes".
You have bought to sell again, is that not it? You are on your
holidays, but you cannot resist making a few thousands by way of
relaxation. I have heard of such things.'