The prince nodded slightly. His face remained quite expressionless.
"As a matter of fact," John concluded, "I have discovered by the purest accident that Miss Maurel is to be your guest this afternoon at Seyre House."
The prince inclined his head gently. He remained monosyllabic.
"Well?"
John frowned heavily.
"Can't you see," he went on bluntly, "that if any one of those men who were present, and heard what was said about your guest, found out afterward that it was Miss Maurel who came to see you—well, I need not go on, need I? I am sure you understand. The things which were hinted at could not possibly apply to her. Would you mind sending a note to Miss Maurel and asking her to have tea with you some other afternoon?"
"And why the deuce should I do that?" the prince asked, a trifle paler, but entirely self-possessed.
"To oblige me," John replied.
The prince wiped his eye-glass carefully upon his handkerchief.
"Mr. Strangewey, you are a very amiable young man," he said equably, "to whom I have tried to show some kindness for Miss Maurel's sake. I really do not see, however—pardon my putting it plainly—what business this is of yours."