melted butter down his chin and on to his waist-coat. How would you like the job of spot-remover to His Highness? I suppose some wretched woman—but has he a wife? I forget."
"He has had two," murmured Connie.
"How any woman" began Noel, and gave it up.
"There are men like that. They are unattractive to other men perhaps, but they have an irresistible fascination for some women. They command—we obey."
"Cut it, Connie!" exclaimed Noel. "Do you mean to tell me that if that bounder, to satisfy his filthy vanity, said 'Come,' you'd go? Like a wretched poodle on a string. Good Lord! Where is your pride?"
She shook her head.
"I only know that I must talk to him again."
They finished lunch with little conversation. Noel was angry and uncomfortable. As they drank their coffee, and he saw that Petrovitch too was nearing the end, he made another effort.
"Connie, let's get out before he's finished. Will you? You'll be glad of it all your life. I promise you you will. It means a lot to me."
His earnestness had no effect. He went on:
"You've always followed the line of least re-
