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The Prince of Seyre handed his hat and stick to the parlor maid and seated himself upon the divan.
"I should be very sorry," he said politely, as the maid left the room, "if my coming has hastened the departure of your visitors."
"Not in the least," Louise assured him. "They were leaving when you were announced. Sophy and I are taking Mr. Strangewey to a Bohemian restaurant and a music-hall afterward."
"Fortunate Mr. Strangewey!" the prince sighed. "But, forgive me, why not a more dignified form of entertainment for his first evening?"
"The poor man has no clothes," Louise explained. "He came to London quite unexpectedly."
"No clothes?" the prince repeated. "It is a long journey to take in such a fashion. A matter of urgent business, perhaps?"
Louise shrugged her shoulders. She had risen to her feet and was busy rearranging some roses in the bowl by her side.
"Mr. Strangewey has just come into a large fortune, as you know," she said. "Probably there are many things to be attended to."
The prince made no further comment. He drew a tortoise-shell-and-gold cigarette-case from his pocket.