There was a half reluctant admiration in Prince Shan's eyes as he sat back in the dim recesses of his box and scrutinised his visitor.

La Belle Nita had learnt all that Paris and London could teach her.
"You are very beautiful, Nita," he said.
"Many men tell me so," she answered.
"Life has gone well with you since we met last ?" he asked reflectively.
"The months have passed," she replied.
"You have been faithful ?" "Fidelity is of the soul." He paused, as though pondering over her answer.

A famous French comedian was holding the stage, and the house rocked with laughter.
"You have the same apartment ?" She pressed the clasp of a black velvet bag which rested on the edge of the box, opened it, and passed him a key.
"It is the same." He held the key in his fingers for a moment, but he had the air of a man to whom the action had no significance.
"You have enough money ?" he asked.
"I have saved a million francs," she told him.

"I am waiting for my lord to speak of things that matter.

The woman in the box over there--who is she ?" "An English spy," he answered calmly.
She lowered her eyes for a moment, as though to conceal the sudden soft flash.
"An English spy," she repeated.