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 present was a diplomat, and you may imagine what state secrets were disclosed!"

"The results may be serious," replied the Ambassador, laughing a little. "We shall have to keep our eyes upon the American diplomats who were present so as to find out how our secrets were betrayed."

"There weren't any Americans present," answered Eleanor, gaily.

"Eh?" said the Ambassador, pretending to be deaf.

Eleanor repeated her words a little louder. There was Constance Maitland near enough to hear, and like Mrs. Hill-Smith, Eleanor was a little afraid of Constance Maitland, and also of Mr. Thorndyke, who had an uncomfortable way of laughing at very serious matters; and just at her elbow was that queer Castlestuart-Stuart, who blurted out things, such as not liking books, which other people kept to themselves; and it was this British bull which now proceeded to play havoc in the china-shop.

"Yes," he said, with an air of infantine innocence, and addressing his chief boldly. "It's positively true. Not a blessed American man there.