“‘Why?’ said the frog.  ‘Half the kingdom goes with you, doesn’t it?’

“‘Exactly,’ said the princess.  ‘And there’s the rub.’

“‘Where?’ said the frog, looking round.

“‘Well, I’m all right,’ said the princess, ’but who wants half a one-horse kingdom that’s mortgaged up to the hilt and a bit over?’

“At this the frog looked so wise that the princess felt quite uncomfortable, and began to think he must be a waiter at the Athenaeum who had had a misunderstanding with a witch.  Suddenly—­

“‘Which of your suitors do you like best?’ said the frog.

“‘Albert the Watchguard,’ said the princess.  ’He’s a bit of a fool, but you ought to see him dance.’

“‘No, I oughtn’t,’ said the frog.  ’It would be extremely bad for me.  Listen.  Tell Albert to come down here with a sieve to-morrow morning.  He may be a bit of a fool, but, if he doesn’t apply for you before lunch, he’s a congenital idiot.’  And with that he took a short run and dived into the stream.

“The princess did as she was bid, and at eleven o’clock the next morning Albert the Watchguard appeared, complete with sieve, upon the bank of the trout-stream.  Twenty-five minutes later, with a cigarette behind his ear and a nugget of gold in each boot, he made formal application for the hand of the princess and half the kingdom—­a request which was immediately granted.

“Two days later they were married.

“What Albert the Watchguard said, on learning that his half of the kingdom did not include the territory watered by the trout-stream, is not recorded.

“If you remember, he was a bit of a fool.”

“Good for you, old chap,” said Daphne.

Jill’s hand stole out of the darkness and crept into mine.

Berry turned to Adele.

“A blinking wonder,” he said, “is not he?  Fancy turning out a comic cameo like that on demand.  But then for years he’s been on the staff of Chunks.  He does the Gossipy Gobbets column.”

Adele laughed musically.

“It was very nice of him to do as I asked,” she said.  “And as a bargain’s a bargain....”

She rose and turned to the open windows....

I saw her settled at the piano, and then stole back.

A moment later the strains of her beautiful mezzo-soprano floated out into the darkness.

It is doubtful whether Printemps Qui Commence ever enjoyed a more exquisite setting.

It was a wonderful night.

* * * * *

If we had driven straight to Brooch the incident would not have occurred.

We had lunched early, for Berry and I were determined to attend the sale of Merry Down.  Sir Anthony, who was sure to be there, would need comforting, and we had, moreover, a feeling that we should like to see the last of an old friend.  Once the place had passed into the power of the dog, we should try to forget.  It was Adele’s suggestion that she should accompany us.  “I’d like to see Brooch,” she had said, “and I want to get a new piece of silk for my wristwatch.  Besides, I can sit in the car while you and Berry are at the sale.  That’ll save your taking the chauffeur.”  We agreed readily enough.