The young man who was host raised his glass and bowed towards the
Princess.

"I can assure you," he said, "that it has given me a great deal of
pleasure to make the acquaintance of Major Forrest and Lord Ronald,
but it has given me more pleasure still to be able to do anything
for you. You know that."

She looked at him quickly, and down at her plate. Such glances had
become almost a habit with her, but they were still effectual. Cecil
de la Borne leaned across towards Forrest.

"I hear that you have been to Ostend lately, Major Forrest," he
said. "I thought of going over myself a little later in the season
for a few days."

"I wouldn't if I were you," Forrest answered. "It is overrun just
now with the wrong sort of people. There is nothing to do but
gamble, which doesn't interest me particularly; or dress in a
ridiculous costume and paddle about in a few feet of water, which
appeals to me even less."

"You were there a little early in the season," the Princess reminded
him.

Major Forrest assented.

"A little later," he admitted, "it may be tolerable. On the whole,
however, I was disappointed."