"Even in that case," he said in a very low tone, "Miss Van Hoyt will herself be present. It is not necessary that you should accompany her."
"I regret to say that I think differently," I answered. "Unless Mrs. Van
Reinberg withdraws her invitation, I shall certainly be present."
"That," Mrs. Van Reinberg declared, "I shall not do. Mr. Courage must do as he thinks best."
Mr. de Valentin bowed slightly, and turned away. His lips were parted in a very unpleasant and most peculiar smile.
"I am very sorry," I said to Mrs. Van Reinberg, "to be the cause of any uneasiness."
"The Prince," she answered, departing for the first time from the use of his incognito, "is very nervous. He is used to advisers and friends, and, for almost the first time in his life, he is entirely alone. I sometimes wonder whether he has really sufficient nerve to take up a great part in life."
"Circumstances," I remarked, "often create the man!"
"I hope," she said a little grimly, "that they will make a man of Mr. de
Valentin."
She took a cigarette from the little gold case which hung from her chatelaine, and lit it.
"I will tell you, Mr. Courage," she said, "why I am rather anxious for you to be present at the meeting to-night. You are altogether disinterested, and you should be able to form a sane opinion of Mr. de Valentin's proposals. I should like to hear how they appeal to you."