When at last they reached the Piazza Montecitorio he insisted on helping her out, and holding her fast by the hand, asked her: "Do you really hate me then, after all?" She drew her hand away from him, and without looking at him said "Good-bye" with a finality of accent not to be mistaken; then the _portone_ swallowed her up. Mirko, with a muttered oath clambered back into the carriage and drove to his hotel. As he entered the lobby he encountered the unexpected form of Angelescu. "When did you come?" he asked in surprise. "At noon, and I have been waiting for you ever since. I have a message for you from the King--" he spoke the last word in a whisper. "The devil you have! What's up?" "You'll know soon enough," said the other significantly. "Am I to be restored to grace?" "Oh, yes, but there is a certain amount of humble-pie to be eaten first. Also they are determined to clip your wings for the future--there is question of a marriage." "Marriage--whew! Who is the lady, may I ask?" Angelescu named a princess, Mirko's senior by several years and not renowned for her good looks. Mirko made a wry face. "His Majesty is awfully keen on it, and if you were to upset the arrangement by any fresh escapades, I fancy your bed would not be of roses for some time to come--I hope you haven't been getting into any scrapes here?" He looked suspiciously at Mirko's tell-tale countenance. "Come along, old man," said Mirko putting his arm through Angelescu's. "There is nothing very terrible--and nothing to be very proud of either; I'll tell you all about it presently. By the way I want you to do something for me to-night. I want you to take a message to a lady at the _veglione_." "Why don't you go yourself?" "I would rather not,--it might be embarrassing for both of us." He laughed uneasily. "Do you remember that little Andersen girl we met on a steamer the year we went to St. Petersburg?" He felt Angelescu's arm stiffen under his, and had the light been stronger, he would have seen the bronzed cheek pale. They had reached Mirko's room and entered, closing the door after them. CHAPTER V As Ragna entered the pension Astrid came out of the drawing-room to meet her. "Oh, Ragna, where on earth have you been all day? We have been so anxious! We were afraid you were lost or kidnapped or something. And the dominoes have come, do come and try yours on!" "The dominoes?" asked Ragna dully. "Why Ragna Andersen! The dominoes for the _veglione_!" She turned and looked at Ragna attentively as they passed under a swinging lamp in the passage. "Ragna, you are ill!" she cried, "you are as white as a sheet! What has happened?" "Nothing," said Ragna, "I got caught in the carnival crowd and pushed about--that's all, and I am tired out." "Well, in the name of common sense, what made you stay out all day when you knew we were going to the _veglione_ to-night? I believe you won't be able to go at all!"