CHAPTER Eleven.
When I awoke, late next morning, it was to find myself, if not famous, at least conspicuous; in the Los Angeles newspaper Valentine brought me with my coffee, much space was devoted to the ducal dinner.
GRAND DUKE SMASHES CHAMPAGNE GLASSES Miss Middleton Toasted in Truly Royal Fashion by Distinguished Nephew of Russia's Reigning Czar.
Brilliant Dinner Reaches Climax in Shower of Costly Crystal While Hostess Smiles Approval.
Disgusting as it was, I couldn't help laughing at the pen-and-ink sketch which accompanied it--a sketch of the duke, with crowned head, and breast covered with decorations, smiling fatuously from within a rakish border of broken champagne glasses.
But there was worse to come.

On another page under the heading: WHIRLWIND WOOING WINS WESTERN GIRL a distorted Cupid supported pictures of Blakely and me, while beneath our pictures, a most fulsome chronicle of untruths was presented.

"Mr.Porter first met his fiancee on shipboard.....
Being of that fine old New York stock which never takes 'no' for an answer, he followed her to Santa Barbara.....

If rumor is to be credited, the Grand Duke Alexander, as well as Cupid, was concerned in this singularly up-to-date love affair.....

Mr.Porter's sister, the Countess de Bienville, is a well-known leader in exclusive Parisian circles.....