"I thought nobody knew the President of the Swiss Republic," said Myra. "Like the Man in the Iron Mask." "Not _that_ President, Myra. The President of the Angeliques Sports Club." "Never heard of it," we all said. Simpson polished his glasses and prepared delightedly to give an explanation. "The Sports Club runs everything here," he began. "It gives you prizes for fancy costumes and skating and so on." "Introduce me to the President at once," cooed Myra, patting her hair and smoothing down her frock. "Even if you were the Treasurer's brother," said Archie, "you wouldn't get a prize for skating, Simpson." "You've never seen him do a rocking seventeen, sideways." Simpson looked at us pityingly. "There's a lot more in it than that," he said. "The President will introduce you to anybody. One might see--er--somebody one rather liked the look of, and--er---- Well, I mean in an hotel one wants to enter into the hotel life and--er--meet other people." "Who is she?" said Myra. "Anybody you want to marry must be submitted to Myra for approval first," I said. "We've told you so several times." Simpson hastily disclaimed any intention of marrying anybody, and helped himself lavishly to champagne. It so happened that I was the first of our party to meet the President, an honour which, perhaps, I hardly deserved. While Samuel was seeking tortuous introductions to him through friends of Peterhouse friends of his, the President and I fell into each other's arms in the most natural way. It occurred like this. There was a dance after dinner; and Myra, not satisfied with my appearance, sent me upstairs to put some gloves on. (It is one of the penalties of marriage that one is always being sent upstairs.) With my hands properly shod I returned to the ball-room, and stood for a moment in a corner while I looked about for her. Suddenly I heard a voice at my side. "Do you want a partner?" it said. I turned, and knew that I was face to face with the President. "Well----" I began. "You are a new-comer, aren't you? I expect you don't know many people. If there is anybody you would like to dance with----" I looked round the room. It was too good a chance to miss. "I wonder," I said. "That girl over there--in the pink frock--just putting up her fan----" He almost embraced me. "I congratulate you on your taste," he said. "Excellent! Come with me." He went over to the girl in the pink dress, I at his heels. "Er--may I introduce?" he said. "Mr.--er--er--yes, this is Miss--er--yes. H'r'm." Evidently he didn't know her name. "Thank you," I said to him. He nodded and left us. I turned to the girl in the pink frock. She was very pretty. "May I have this dance?" I asked. "I've got my gloves on," I added. She looked at me gravely, trying hard not to smile. "You may," said Myra. II.--THE OPENING RUN With a great effort Simpson strapped his foot securely into a ski and turned doubtfully to Thomas.