The door had opened while she was speaking. "Here’s a prince, Araminta!" she continued, in the same musical vein. "Not incognito, either, to judge by his handsome motor coat." Claude Fontaine came in, and the sheer sweep of his personal attractiveness made Cornelia’s slightly ironic phrasing sound quite empty. Janet thought that many a titular prince might be glad to exchange his coat of arms for Claude’s conquering air. *II* Her heart beat faster for more reasons than this. How was she to let Robert down gracefully and without hurting his feelings, after having more than half accepted his offer to accompany her home? As if in total ignorance of her dilemma, Cornelia, who had begun sketching a design for a new dress, intoned: "Admirers never come singly. Choose your escort, my dear. Which is it to be? Cato and the subway or Lothario and a limousine?" They all dissembled very poorly. Claude, who had not expected rivalry, looked displeased; Robert, though he had already made up his mind to withdraw, felt uneasy; and Janet stood up between the two young men, embarrassed and confused. Cornelia alone seemed wholly unmoved. She went on sketching imperturbably. But Robert was quite certain that she was not unconscious of the tableau. Janet broke the painful silence. "Let’s all three go together," she said, with one of her quick graceful gestures, half conciliatory, half pleading in its effect. "Certainly, if Robert would like to come," said Claude, politely, but without enthusiasm. Robert declined promptly. He explained that he had really been free only for the morning, and that, as long as Claude was to see Janet home, he had better utilize the late afternoon to hunt up another position. There were newspaper offices at which he ought to call. Before supper, he had a speech to rehearse. Perhaps Cornelia would be good enough to let him say it over to her. "What kind of a speech am I letting myself in for?" asked Cornelia, half flattered, half nettled. "Wait till you hear it." "A sermon, I’ll be bound," chanted this languid lady. Yet, not at all languidly, she put her sketch aside and rose, adding: "A sermon from Cato is as sweet as a _billet-doux_ from any other man. Come, Araminta, let’s show these men how quickly we can get ready." They went into Cornelia’s bedroom, leaving the two men alone. Claude said: "What’s this about hunting up a new position?" Robert recounted his farewell interview with Hutchins Burley. "You’re well rid of him," said Claude. "What do you think the swine called me at the ball? A diamond smuggler. In front of everybody, mind you!" He paced the room indignantly.