"I daresay, yes," said Mrs. Birkett, with some misgiving, as she saw Mrs. Samuels further down the alley, standing with a London manager in the centre of a group who were laughing and talking round them. "Let me see, Mrs. Samuels is goin' to have the tea, isn't she?" "Yes, the refreshment stall," said Mrs. Birkett, referring to her list. "And Lady Adela Prestige the fortune tellin'--and Princess Hohenschreien, what did she say she would do? Oh! I remember, the Cafe Chantant. What has she done about it, I wonder? Do you know anything about that?" "I am afraid I don't," said Mrs. Birkett. This, indeed, was quite beyond her competence. "I wonder if she has got people enough. Ah! here she is. Madeline! Maddy!" she called out, as Princess Hohenschreien appeared at the end of the walk, a parasol lined with pink behind her, and her head thrown back as she laughed loud and heartily at something her companion had said. "Yes, dear Lady Chaloner? Were you calling me?" "I wanted to speak to you about the bazaar," said Lady Chaloner. "How do you do, M. de Moricourt," to the Princess's companion. "The bazaar," said the young man in French, as he bowed, "what is that?" "What is that?" said the Princess, with another burst of laughter. "But, _mon cher_, you are impossible! We have been talking of nothing else all the way down the alley." "How?" said the young man. "I really beg your pardon, Princess, but I thought we were talking of the comedy we were going to act at the Casino." "And what do you suppose that comedy is for," said the Princess, "if not for the bazaar?" "How can I tell?" said Moricourt. "It might have been to please the public, or even to please the Princess Hohenschreien," with a little bow. "Of course we shall please both," said the Princess. "And a bazaar gives us a reason. A charity bazaar, isn't it?" "Ah! a charity bazaar," said Moricourt, "that is another thing. It doesn't matter how badly I shall act, then." "Perhaps that is as well," said the Princess. "Is it permitted to know the object of the charity we are going to assist so well?" said Moricourt. Lady Chaloner, dimly aware that Mrs. Birkett was becoming very uncomfortable, although she did not clearly distinguish whether the peculiar expression to be observed on the latter's face came from irritation or embarrassment, hastily said-- "It is not a charity exactly. It is for the English Church at Schleppenheim. This is Mrs. Birkett, the wife of the clergyman," indicating Mrs. Birkett. "Ah!" said Moricourt, "the English Church," and he bowed to Mrs. Birkett as though making the acquaintance of that honoured institution. Princess Hohenschreien also included herself in the introduction, and bowed with a good-natured smile of absolute indifference to Mrs. Birkett and to all that she represented. "Well, now then, seriously," said Lady Chaloner, "do you undertake the Cafe Chantant, Madeline?"