“I suppose I am being very unconventional,” she said with a little grimace, and for the first time he noticed that she spoke with the slightest accent, “but needs must when the devil drives, and I had either to sit in that cold car or grasp the good fortune which fate threw in my way. And you, Sir Ralph, are looking just the same as when I saw you last. You are one of the big business men in London, aren’t you?” “I have a few interests,” admitted Sir Ralph modestly. They talked of Paris which Sir Ralph knew, and of Russia through which he had travelled on one occasion, and of London, and then the coffee came and a few minutes later, her chauffeur, to tell her that the repairs had been effected. “Before I go I want to ask you one favour, Sir Ralph,” she said. She was a little embarrassed and nervously twisted a ring on her finger. Sir Ralph saw this and wondered. “You have only to ask anything, Princess, and it is granted,” he said gallantly. She hesitated a moment and bit her lip in thought. “I am going to take you into my confidence, and I know as a man of honour” (Sir Ralph bowed) “you will not betray me. I am in London, but I am not supposed to be in London.” She looked at him anxiously as she made this confession. “I understand,” said Sir Ralph, which was not true. “You have probably noticed--you were so quick at seeing those things--that I am not wearing my wedding ring. Well,” she hesitated, “Dimitri and I have quarrelled, and I do not want him to find me. I haven’t been to the Embassy or to call on any of my old friends.” “You may be sure,” said Sir Ralph, “that your secret is safe. I may say,” he added, “that this is not the first time I have been entrusted with a confidence as delicate.” “I know I can trust you,” she said, warmly gripping his hand. “I am staying in a little furnished flat which I have taken in Half Moon Street. I have a duenna with me for the sake of the proprieties--Dimitri is so funny about those things--so if a busy man can spare the time, I am always in between four and five--” “It will give me the greatest happiness to renew the acquaintance,” said Sir Ralph and raised her hand to his lips. Sir Ralph retired to rest that night more pleased with himself than ever. CHAPTER VIII. AN ARTIST MAKES AN EXHIBITION OF HIMSELF No man has ever understood a woman, for the simple reason that woman is unintelligible even to her own kind. If she were not, and if she were susceptible to explanation by her own sisters, be sure that her own sisters would lose no time in telling the first man she met all about her.