Evening star., 1939-08-06
EXIT THE PRINCESS
Continued from poge thirteen

| SAID. EVldently an OlQ Illend.
De Treville, who still wore his
monocle, turned and stared at me
amusedly. He dropped it and began
to twirl it about his finger upon
pendant ribbon.
You are possibly being facetious?"
''Facetious! in what way?"
Surely you realized that l had
never met her in my life?"
What"
Il am gratifed, Digger. have
amused you twice in week: when we
bought lavender from the old lady in
Hartley Corners, and tonight when l
forced myself upon the Princess Marie
Petrowska.
But -"
Trevvy's expression changed. The
smile fled. "A game fox deserves a
good rum" he said. "In this case it
isn't fox - but splendid vixenp'
Back in our hotel, Trevvy and l
sat in the lounge II trust" said he,
that as l promised, l have done
something to relieve your boredom"
You have relieved my boredom"
l admitted, but have got me guessing
helplessly. We are going to Mrs.
Homerton's party tomorrow night,
and am to bring Jane Sinclair. YOU
astonishingly - suggested bringing
Princess Marie Petrowska."
"Why 'astonishingly'?"
Because you assured me no more
than an hour ago that you had never
met her in your life before! This being
so, she must regard you as a lunatic.
Why should she 60 out with you to-
morrow"
81 assure you that she will be there"
Knowing my De Treville, this assur-
ance was sufficient. had to suppose,
since many women showed tendency
to fall in love with him, that he had
prevailed upon the beautiful Russian
to be his partner. wondered what
explanation he had offered of his singu-
lar behavior. but could think of none
which would have been acceptable. |
remembered his words to young
Hinton: Il have known her and Others
of her family for many years
Prevaricate he did, and brilliantly,
but a De TreviIle does not lie. 1t was
very puzzling l was still thinking
about it when fell asleep that night.
He was absent all the following day
and had no idea where he had gone.
However, | had many good friends in
Washington, including Jane Sinclair,
who was staying with her brother
Dick dick was attached to the British
Embassy. She dined with me. and
we were drinking coffee out in the
lounge when Trevvy walked in look
ing as though he had returned from a
Journey and had not yet dressed. He
surveyed us smilingly.
"Hellor' he exclaimed. Il am be-
ginning to believe, Digger, that you
are happy in America" At this mo-
ment became painfully conscious OF
the fact that if Trevvy had possessed
the instincts of Casanova his men,
oirs would have been even less edify-
ing. Again | found myself forgotten.
Mrs. Homerton." said Jane, lis
delighted about Princess Petrowska
coming with you tonight. She had no
idea you were such old friends. But
you are, aren't you?"
Il have known the Princess for
many years." De Treville replied
gravely. Il knew her husband, the
Prince, also. l am very happy to be
bringing her tonight. And now l must
leave you, for have to dress -.
Trevvy was last to arrive.
We were all in the cocktail bar; and
for my part, when he came in, l
jumped off the stool and stood there,
rigid, staring . Jane Sinclair stared.
We all stared.
saw that his companion was small
and slight, wore dark dinner gown
with lace sleeves and that she had