“In a way—yes; though he makes light of there being anything mysterious in his position. He says he really has no official status at all, that he is no more than a private gentleman. In fact, if he were an official he’d have to be in St. Petersburg more than he is; most of his time he spends on an estate about fifty miles away.”
“Yes, Alice spoke of that estate; she said we were going out there to a house party day after to-morrow. The prince part of him sounds all right. How about the man?”
“He will doubtless call when he returns from the Czar. That will answer your question.”
The shrewd old eyes looked deep. “I see you don’t like him.”
“Put it the other way.”
“Don’t like you—eh? Why?”
“I can only give you a guess.”
“Your guess is as good as most men’s certainties. Go on.”
“Well—the fact is, he found out about—about Alice and me, you know.”
The uncle nodded. “And he’s a little suspicious—jealous. That’s one reason. What else?”