Taking him at his word, Tony resumed his seat at the desk, while Jimmy, with some opportune remark in Livadian, promptly withdrew their host to the further side of the room. Continuing to write with extreme deliberation, Tony finished his letter, which occupied exactly two sides of the note-paper. Then he blotted it, and sitting back in his chair, read it through carefully before folding it up. Tuesday, THE CHATEAU OF SAINT ANNA, 11.53 A.M. Somewhere in Livadia. MY DEAR MARQUIS: It was very kind of you to write and say good-bye, as I don't suppose you had much time to spare your last day in England. I am more than sorry that I haven't been able to look you up and thank you personally during this flying visit of ours to your beautiful and exciting country. You, I feel certain, will share this regret, but your admirable philosophy will doubtless enable you to make the best of it. Making the best of unfortunate situations is the real secret of a happy and successful life. May I add that you can always rely on us for the most perfect discretion with regard to any secrets that we happen to share in common. I shall consider it a great kindness if you will convey to His Majesty my truest congratulations on his marriage, of which, under the circumstances, I feel quite sure you will thoroughly approve. Wishing you the best of success in your patriotic efforts on behalf of Livadia, I am, my dear Marquis, Your sincere admirer, ANTONY CONWAY. P.S. You were quite right about the proverb. Ha! Ha! Having enclosed this in an envelope and addressed it, Tony got up from his chair and handed it to the Count. "I shall be much obliged if you will give that to De Sé," he said. "I want the Marquis to get it as soon as possible and I expect your postal arrangements are a bit disorganized." The Count shrugged his shoulders. "All is confusion for the moment," he admitted, "but I trust that by Monday we may hope for better things. So soon as the King is married there will be no more fighting." He put the letter away carefully in his inside pocket, and for a few minutes continued to discourse on the revolution and its possible developments. It was quite evident that he shared Colonel Saltero's opinion as to the immediate effect of the coming ceremony, and that he looked forward to the future with a complete and touching confidence. At last, again adjusting his spectacles, which had a habit of slipping down his nose, he glanced up at the clock on the mantelpiece. "I think," he said "that I might now return to the Princess. It was, I understand, for twenty minutes that your good friend wished to speak with her." "Perhaps it would be as well," said Tony reluctantly. "I hate to rush away like this, but we really ought to get back as soon as possible. I don't want to keep the Ambassador waiting."