for a few weeks, if only to escape from these pestering letters. I
do think that one's tradespeople might let one alone until the end
of the season."

Forrest, who was feeling a good deal braver since dinner, on the
whole favoured the idea.

"I do not see," he remarked, "why it should not work out very well
indeed. There will be nothing to do in the evenings except to play
bridge, and no one to interfere."

"Besides which," the Princess remarked, "you will be out of London
for a few weeks, and I dare say that if you keep away from the clubs
for a time and lose a few rubbers when you get back your little
trouble may blow over."

"I suppose," Forrest remarked thoughtfully, "this young De la Borne
has no people living with him, guardians, or that sort of thing?"

"No one of any account," the Princess answered. "His father and
mother are both dead. I am afraid, though, he will not be of any use
to you, for from what I can hear he is quite poor. However, Engleton
ought to be quite enough if we can keep him in the humour for
playing."

"Ask him a few more questions about the place," Forrest said. "If it
seems all right, I should like to start as soon as possible."

They had their coffee at a little table in the foyer, which was
already crowded with people. Their conversation was often