For a moment she hesitated.

The Prince, anticipating her desire to speak, rose at once to his feet.
"Mademoiselle," he said, bending over her hand, "welcome back to England! You bring with you the first sunshine we have seen for many days." "Are you being meteorological or complimentary ?" she asked, smiling.
"Will you present your companion?
I have heard of Mr.Kingley." "With the utmost pleasure," the Prince replied.

"Mr.Kingley, through the unfortunate death of a relative, is now the Earl of Dorminster--Mademoiselle Karetsky." Nigel, as he made his bow, was conscious of an expression of something more than ordinary curiosity in the face of the girl who had herself aroused his interest.
"You are the son, then," she enquired, "of Lord Dorminster who died about a month ago ?" "His nephew," Nigel explained.

"My uncle was unfortunately childless." "I met your uncle once in Paris," she said.

"It will give me great pleasure to make your better acquaintance.