ready to face the devil, and strutted in the ballroom with the
swagger of a cavalier. While he was thus parading, he became aware
of Madame Zephyrine and her Britisher in conference behind a
pillar. The cat-like spirit of eaves-dropping overcame him at
once. He stole nearer and nearer on the couple from behind, until
he was within earshot.

"That is the man," the Britisher was saying; "there - with the long
blond hair - speaking to a girl in green."

Silas identified a very handsome young fellow of small stature, who
was plainly the object of this designation.

"It is well," said Madame Zephyrine. "I shall do my utmost. But,
remember, the best of us may fail in such a matter."

"Tut!" returned her companion; "I answer for the result. Have I
not chosen you from thirty? Go; but be wary of the Prince. I
cannot think what cursed accident has brought him here to-night.
As if there were not a dozen balls in Paris better worth his notice
than this riot of students and counter-jumpers! See him where he
sits, more like a reigning Emperor at home than a Prince upon his
holidays!"

Silas was again lucky. He observed a person of rather a full
build, strikingly handsome, and of a very stately and courteous
demeanour, seated at table with another handsome young man, several
years his junior, who addressed him with conspicuous deference.
The name of Prince struck gratefully on Silas's Republican hearing,
and the aspect of the person to whom that name was applied