This causes him much more uneasiness than anything else ever did.  He can feel afraid for the safety of Ruth where he would not dream of allowing the sensation on his own account.

Hence his anxiety to mature his plans and clear the path ahead.

In the perfected work he believes he can count on the assistance of Mustapha Cadi.  The Arab guide has already proved himself so valuable a man that John is ready to trust him with nearly anything.

So he waits to hear of some message from the old Moorish doctor, and while waiting begins to arrange in his mind the plans for a future campaign.

Pauline is still at the hotel, for he has had a glimpse of her.  The actress does not seem very much discouraged by the disasters of the past.  She smiles on meeting John, and nods in a cheery way, as though giving him to understand that she is not done with him yet.  He feels that he can afford to meet her in the same spirit, although anxious about his Ruth.

Fortune favors him, too.

The British nobleman happens to be standing near as Pauline sweeps past, and as is her professional habit she gives him a bright look, that somehow starts the blood to bounding in the veteran’s veins.

He approaches John.

“Pardon me, but did you bow to that lady, my dear doctor?”

John admits that he did, though careful not to show any unusual eagerness about it.

“May I ask who she is?”

“Come! this is rather singular.”

“What is?”

“Why, truth to tell, I believe the lady is already interested in you.”

“In me?”

Sir Lionel at once puffs out a little, as though feeling consequential.  It is gratifying to his conceit to hear that this beautiful being has actually taken notice of him.

“Well, it would not be right for me to say more,” continues the diplomatic young man, and this increases the curiosity of the soldier.

“Who is she, doctor?”

“One of the most noted beauties on the American stage,” replies John.

“An actress?”

“Yes, and a clever one; very popular in the States, and highly respected.  Why, she set half the young men in Chicago wild a year or two ago.”

“Including yourself, doctor?” slyly.

“I acknowledge the corn, Sir Lionel.  Young men have no show to win her favor.”

“Indeed.”

“She prefers a gentleman of middle age.  A man who has seen life and had varied experiences.”

“Wise girl.”

“In short, Sir Lionel, Pauline Potter is an admirer of bravery; she adores a soldier who has won his spurs.”

“Ahem!  Pauline is a favorite name of mine.  I’ve read of her triumphs, too.  She was out in Melbourne two years or more ago and carried the town by storm.”

“That is a fact.”

“Duse take it, d’ye know what I’ve half a mind to do?”

“What’s that, Sir Lionel?” asks John, with a very sober face, but secretly chuckling at the success that is meeting him half-way.  Why, he has hardly dug his pit before the baronet comes tumbling into it.