Having exhausted the sights of the city, the party walked to the Hôtel de Prusse, where dinner had been ordered for them. They passed through the restaurant, in which De Forrest and Beckwith were dining with the Kinnairds. If the runaways had been prudent they would have removed the gold lace from their coats and caps; but as Miss Julia Gurney liked the appearance of it, and it seemed to obtain consideration for them in hotels and other places, they did not lay it aside. Beckwith suggested the idea of doing so, but De Forrest thought it would cause the pretty English girl to ask hard questions, and he declined to adopt the suggestion. When the students entered the restaurant, De Forrest asked to be excused, and they tried to get out of sight; but the quick eye of Mr. Lowington was upon them, and he placed himself in their way. "Ah, young gentlemen, I'm glad to see you," said the principal. "It was unfortunate that you missed the train at Moscow, or took the wrong one." The runaways studied the floor. "Perhaps you had better dine with us," suggested the principal, as he pointed to the adjoining room. "We have been with a party of English people for some time," stammered the late purser. "Will you allow me to speak to them before I leave?" "It is unnecessary. You were not so particular when you left our party at Moscow. If any explanations are required, I will make them for you;" and the principal pointed to the door again. Seats were assigned to them at _table d'hôte_, but somehow their appetites were not very sharp. The Kinnairds hardly missed the runaways, for Miss Gurney began to recognize the young officers who had been so attentive to her on board the ship, when she visited her at Christiansand. As Lincoln, Cumberland, and others were only human, probably they had been more polite to her because she was very pretty, than they otherwise would have been. Lincoln promptly recognized her, and so did Cumberland. "I am very happy to meet you again," said the former. "Thank you. I am delighted to see you," replied Julia. "Is your ship here?" asked Mr. Kinnaird. "No, sir; she is at Pillau," answered the commodore. "That is unfortunate, for Julia very much desires to go on board of her again." "We must go to Pillau, Mr. Kinnaird," laughed the pretty maiden. "We have been travelling with two of your officers for more than a week, and my interest in your ship is greater than ever. You are one of the lieutenants, if I remember rightly." "I was third lieutenant at the time I met you, but I am not now," replied Lincoln. "He is commodore of the squadron--the highest office," interposed Cumberland. "What a great man you must be!" exclaimed Julia. "And you were captain when I saw you," she added to Cumberland. "Yes; but I have fallen to the rank of first lieutenant." "Not by any fault of his own, let me add," said Lincoln. "Will you allow us to go on board of the ship if we go to Pillau?" asked the young lady.