He sat at a table with the French attache just below the box occupied by the Princess and her party.

In spite of the fact that he was a gentleman, born and bred, he could not conquer countless impulses to look at the flower-face of the royal auditor.

They were surreptitious and sidelong peeps, it is true, but they served him well.

He caught her gaze bent upon him more than once, and he detected an interest in her look that pleased his vanity exceeding great.
Gradually the programme led up to the feature of the evening--the rendition of a great work under the direction of a famous leader, a special guest of the music-loving Duke.
Chase arose and cheered with the assemblage when the distinguished director made his appearance.

Then he proceeded to forget the man and his genius--in fact everything save the rapt listener above him.