Martin hastily. "It's an excellent idea, excellent. You're the very man to help M. Guerchard, Duke. You're an intrepid explorer, used to danger and resourceful, absolutely fearless."
"Do you really mean to say you're not going home to bed, Jacques?" said Germaine, disregarding her father's wish with her usual frankness.
"No; I'm going to stay with M. Guerchard," said the Duke slowly.
"Well, you will be fresh to go to the Princess's to-morrow night." said Germaine petulantly. "You didn't get any sleep at all last night, you couldn't have. You left Charmerace at eight o'clock; you were motoring all the night, and only got to Paris at six o'clock this morning."
"Motoring all night, from eight o'clock to six!" muttered Guerchard under his breath.
"Oh, that will be all right," said the Duke carelessly. "This interesting affair is to be over by midnight, isn't it?"
"Well, I warn you that, tired or fresh, you will have to come with me to the Princess's to-morrow night. All Paris will be there—all Paris, that is, who are in Paris."
"Oh, I shall be fresh enough," said the Duke.
They went out of the drawing-room and down
