Sophy sprang to her feet.
"Won't you drop me, please, Mr. Strangewey?" she asked. "Then, if you will be so kind, you can pick me up again on your way here. You'll have to pass where I live, if you are at the Milan. I must go home and do my little best to compete."
Louise's frown was so slight that even John failed to notice it. Upon the threshold they encountered the prince, who detained John for a moment.
"I was hoping that I might meet you here, Mr. Strangewey," he said. "If you are in town for long, it will give me great pleasure if I can be of any service to you. You are staying at a hotel?"
"I am staying at the Milan," John replied.
"I will do myself the pleasure of calling upon you," the prince continued. "In the meantime, if you need any service that a Londoner can offer you, be sure to let me know. You will easily find my house in Grosvenor Square."
"It is very kind of you indeed," John said gratefully.
Sophy made a wry face as the prince entered the drawing-room.
"Didn't some old Roman once write something about being afraid of Greeks who brought gifts?" she asked, as they descended the stairs together.
"Quite right," John assented.