though Poor Jr. looked up, puzzled and frowning.

Before he could answer I pulled myself altogether, as they say,
and leaned forward, resting my elbows upon the table. "It is
true," and I tried to smile as amiably as Antonio. "These
coincidences occur. You meet all the great frauds of the world
in Paris. Was it not there"--I turned to Mrs. Landry--"that
you met the young Prince here?"

At this there was no mistaking that the others perceived. The
secret battle had begun and was not secret. I saw a wild gleam
in Poor Jr.'s eyes, as if he comprehended that strange things
were to come; but, ah, the face of distress and wonder upon Mrs.
Landry, who beheld the peace of both a Prince and a dinner
assailed; and, alas! the strange and hurt surprise that came
from the lady of the pongee! Let me not be a boastful fellow,
but I had borne her pity and had adored it--I could face her
wonder, even her scorn.

It was in the flash of her look that I saw my great chance and
what I must try to do. Knowing Antonio, it was as if I saw her
falling into the deep water and caught just one contemptuous
glance from her before the waves hid her. But how much juster
should that contempt have been if I had not tried to save her!

As for that old Antonio, he might have known enough to beware. I
had been timid with him always, and he counted on it now, but a
man who has shown a painted head-top to the people of Paris will
dare a great deal.