"Is it matrimony alone," she asked, "which he denies himself?"
Chalmers glanced towards Mrs. Bollington Smith, whose eyes were closed. Then he nodded towards the stage.
"You see the woman who has just come upon the stage?"
Maggie glanced downwards. A very wonderful little figure in white satin, lithe and sinuous as a cat, Chinese in the subtlety of her looks, European in her almost sinister over-civilisation, stood smiling blandly at the applauding audience.
"La Belle Nita," Maggie murmured. "I thought she was in Paris. Well, what of her?"
"She is reputed to be a protégée of Prince Shan. You see how she looks up at his box."
Maggie was conscious of a queer and almost incomprehensible stab at the heart. She answered without hesitation or change of expression, however.
"The Prince must be kind to a fellow countrywoman," she declared indulgently. "You are talking terrible scandal."
La Belle Nita danced wonderfully, sang like a linnet, danced again and disappeared, notwithstanding the almost wild calls for an encore. With the end of her turn came a selection from the orchestra and a general emptying of the boxes. Presently Chalmers went in search of Nigel. A few moments later there was a knock at the door. Maggie gripped the sides of her chair tightly. She was moved almost to fury by the turmoil in which she found herself. Her invitation to enter was almost inaudible.
"I am deserted," Prince Shan explained, as he made his bow and took the chair to which Maggie pointed. "My friend Immelan has left me to visit acquaintances, and I chance to be unattended this evening. I trust that I do not intrude."