especially a pretty girl who can deal in princes, counts and all
kinds of nobility when it comes to a matrimonial trade. By Jove,
I'm sorry for the Princess, though."

"Sorry for the Princess? Why?" asked the other, alert at once.

"Oh, just because it's not in her power to be so independent.
The Countess says she cries every night when she thinks of what
the
poor girl has to contend with."

"Tell me about it."

"I don't know anything to tell. I'm not interested in the
Princess, and I didn't have the nerve to ask many questions. I
do know, however, that she is going to have an unpleasant
matrimonial alliance forced upon her in some way."
"That is usual.

"That's what I gather from the Countess. Maybe you can pump the
Countess and get all you want to know in connection with the
matter. It's a pretty serious state of affairs, I should say, or
she wouldn't be weeping through sympathy."

Lorry recalled a part of the afternoon's sweetly dangerous
conversation and the perspiration stood cold and damp on his
brow.

"Well, old man, you've chased Miss Guggenslocker to earth only to
find her an impossibility. Pretty hopeless for you, Lorry, but