He promised to do his best, though some of the men looked anything but tractable; and I went back to the princess, hoping that the music would _drown_ all the going and coming. "Play like mad!," I whispered to this boy at the piano; "_Noise_, at all costs!" And, as if I hadn't enough to bear, I thought he was going to take offence. Half-way through, the door opened a crack, and I saw--who do you think? Colonel Butler; Phyllida's cabman hero. Nothing could surprise me then--the fact that he was in evening-dress... If he'd brought his cab in with him... I hurried to the door, no longer caring whether he met Phyllida, whether she threw herself at his head... _Any_thing... "This is a case for heroic measures, Lady Ann," he said, when I had explained my _tragic_ position. "Some of these fellows have been doing themselves rather well and they swear they won't go without a dance. If you leave things to me, I believe I can pull you through. Certainly I'll do my best, but you must back me up in everything. Is that agreed? Then, as soon as the music stops, will you present me to the princess? I'll get hold of your husband and Will and tell them what has to be done." I asked leave to present him... The princess knew his name, knew all about him--far more than I had ever guessed. It appears that he ought to have had the V.C.; and, if it lay in my gift, he should have had it that night! Oh, I don't wonder that he did well in the war. Such coolness, determination, foresight... "I expect Lady Ann has told you, ma'am," he began, "that the Forest Rangers have been having their regimental dinner. Lady Ann has _most_ kindly lent us the house for a little dance later on. I want to know whether I may ask an extraordinary favour. It will give immense gratification if you will allow Lady Ann to present the officers to you before the dance begins. I know it's a very big thing to ask, because there are a great many of them; but, if you knew the pleasure you would confer, I could almost hope that you would forgive my presumption."