"No, I have not forgotten"--I said at last, after a little silence. "And I will buy this Willowsmere. I will telegraph instructions to my lawyers at once. Will you give me the name and address of the agents?" "With pleasure, my dear boy!" And Lucio handed me a letter containing the particulars concerning the sale of the estate and other items. "But are you not making up your mind rather suddenly? Hadn't you better inspect the property first? There may be things you object to----" "If it were a rat-infested barrack," I said resolutely--"I would still buy it! I shall settle the matter at once. I wish to let Lord Elton know this very night that I am the future owner of Willowsmere!" "Good!"--and my companion thrust his arm through mine as we left the smoking-room together--"I like your swiftness of action Geoffrey. It is admirable! I always respect determination. Even if a man makes up his mind to go to hell, I honour him for keeping to his word, and going there straight as a die!" I laughed, and we parted in high good-humour,--he to fulfil a club engagement, I to telegraph precise instructions to my legal friends Messrs Bentham and Ellis, for the immediate purchase in my name at all costs, risks or inconveniences, of the estate known as Willowsmere Court in the county of Warwick. That evening I dressed with more than common care, giving my man Morris almost as much trouble as if I had been a fidgetty woman. He waited upon me however with exemplary patience, and only when I was quite ready did he venture to utter what had evidently been on his mind for some time. "Excuse me sir,"--he then observed--"but I daresay you've noticed that there's something unpleasant-like about the prince's valet, Amiel?" "Well, he's rather a down-looking fellow if that's what you mean,"--I replied--"But I suppose there's no harm in him." "I don't know about that sir,"--answered Morris severely; "He does a great many strange things I do assure you. Downstairs with the servants he goes on something surprising. Sings and acts and dances too, as if he were a whole music-hall." "Really!" I exclaimed in surprise--"I should never have thought it." "Nor should I sir, but it's a fact." "He must be rather an amusing fellow then,"--I continued, wondering that my man should take the accomplishments of Amiel in such an injured manner.