As for Nella, she concerned herself for a little with the ordinary business of the bureau, and watched the incomings and outgoings of Prince Aribert with a kindly interest. She perceived, what her father had failed to perceive, that His Highness had assumed an attitude of reserve merely to hide the secret distraction and dismay which consumed him. She saw that the poor fellow had no settled plan in his head, and that he was troubled by something which, so far, he had confided to nobody. It came to her knowledge that each morning he walked to and fro on the Victoria Embankment, alone, and apparently with no object. On the third morning she decided that driving exercise on the Embankment would be good for her health, and thereupon ordered a carriage and issued forth, arrayed in a miraculous putty-coloured gown. Near Blackfriars Bridge she met the Prince, and the carriage was drawn up by the pavement. ‘Good morning, Prince,’ she greeted him. ‘Are you mistaking this for Hyde Park?’ He bowed and smiled. ‘I usually walk here in the mornings,’ he said. ‘You surprise me,’ she returned. ‘I thought I was the only person in London who preferred the Embankment, with this view of the river, to the dustiness of Hyde Park. I can’t imagine how it is that London will never take exercise anywhere except in that ridiculous Park. Now, if they had Central Park--’ ‘I think the Embankment is the finest spot in all London,’ he said. She leaned a little out of the landau, bringing her face nearer to his. ‘I do believe we are kindred spirits, you and I,’ she murmured; and then, ‘Au revoir, Prince!’ ‘One moment, Miss Racksole.’ His quick tones had a note of entreaty. ‘I am in a hurry,’ she fibbed; ‘I am not merely taking exercise this morning. You have no idea how busy we are.’ ‘Ah! then I will not trouble you. But I leave the Grand Babylon to- night.’ ‘Do you?’ she said. ‘Then will your Highness do me the honour of lunching with me today in Father’s room? Father will be out--he is having a day in the City with some stockbroking persons.’ ‘I shall be charmed,’ said the Prince, and his face showed that he meant it. Nella drove off. If the lunch was a success that result was due partly to Rocco, and partly to Nella. The Prince said little beyond what the ordinary rules of the conversational game demanded. His hostess talked much and talked well, but she failed to rouse her guest. When they had had coffee he took a rather formal leave of her. ‘Good-bye, Prince,’ she said, ‘but I thought--that is, no I didn’t. Good-bye.’ ‘You thought I wished to discuss something with you. I did; but I have decided that I have no right to burden your mind with my affairs.’ ‘But suppose--suppose I wish to be burdened?’ ‘That is your good nature.’ ‘Sit down,’ she said abruptly, ‘and tell me everything; mind, everything. I adore secrets.’ Almost before he knew it he was talking to her, rapidly, eagerly.