“And not only that, but the honour of somebody we both admire,” said Sir Ralph awkwardly. “The fact is, Michael, I am engaged to Moya. It isn’t generally known, but it is so and naturally I haven’t seen as much of her as I could have wished in this past week. Also I have been a very busy man.” “Naturally,” said Michael sympathetically. “You have already told me about the Princess, you remember.” “Well, you are a man of the world,” said Sir Ralph, going very red, “and you will understand. Anyway, I haven’t seen as much of Moya as I could have wished. The fact is,” he blurted out, “Moya is carrying on!” “Carrying on,” said the puzzled Michael, “carrying on what, or whom?” “She meets him every day in the park and they go sketching together in the country,” said Sir Ralph rapidly. “I haven’t spoken to Flanborough about it, but it is all rather rotten.” “If by ‘carrying on’ you mean that Moya is indulging in a flirtation, it is not only very rotten, but it must have been very awkward for you,” said Michael, “unless you could be perfectly certain of your fiancée’s movements, you and your Princess were liable at any moment to run against her. It was very inconsiderate of Moya. Who is her friend?” “A beastly artist,” said Ralph savagely, “a man who had an exhibition of simply rotten pictures. I don’t think he has a bob in the world, and he’s a most untidy looking person. I have seen them together with my own eyes and he treats Moya outrageously. And Moya seems to like it.” “Does he beat her or anything?” asked Michael wearily. He was growing tired of the interview and wanted to be alone to work out the new combination which had been presented to him. “He compromises her,” said Ralph with vehemence; “holds her hand and calls her ‘child’ in public. It is simply disgraceful!” “You can trust Moya,” said Michael, “she will do nothing which jeopardises her prospects.” “She has plenty of money of her own,” interrupted Ralph. “It is curious how your mind runs to money. I wasn’t thinking of that. I was thinking of her social prospects. She is a very shrewd girl. A little romance will do her no harm, Ralph.” “But, hang it, she’s got me!” said Ralph wrathfully. “I said ‘romance,’” said Michael with offensive emphasis; “you’re not ‘romance,’ you’re ‘business.’” But Sir Ralph was not satisfied. “Perhaps if you saw her and had a few words with her,” he suggested, “she might take a little notice.” “I should leave her presence a mental and physical wreck,” said Michael decidedly. “No, Ralph, you must manage your own love making without calling in the--er, police.” (Sir Ralph winced.) “I don’t know Moya well enough to give her advice on so delicate a matter--I only proposed to her once and that has given me no right to urge your suit. One question I should like to ask you before you go,” he said as Sir Ralph gathered up his hat and gloves. “Did the Princess question you about any bank with which you are associated?”