But Jack has no such security. He is a Russian subject, and,
prince or commoner, the authorities here could do what they liked with
him. I always think of things when it is too late to act. I wish I had
urged Jack ashore at Bar Harbor, and induced him to take the oath of
allegiance to the United States. I spoke to him about that coming home
in the carriage, and to my amazement he said he wished he had thought
of it himself at the time we were over there.
"But enough of this. I daresay he is in no real danger after all.
Nevertheless, I shall induce him to pack to-morrow, and we will make
for London together, so my next letter will bear a British stamp, and
I assure you the air of England will taste good to one benighted
Britisher whose name is Alan Drummond."
CHAPTER X
CALAMITY UNSEEN
THE habit of industry practised from childhood to maturity is not
obliterated by an unexpected shower of gold. Dorothy was an early
riser, and one morning, entering the parlor from her room she saw,
lying upon the table, a letter with a Russian stamp, but addressed in
an unknown hand to her friend Katherine Kempt. She surmised that here
was the first communication from the Prince, and expected to learn all
about it during the luncheon hour at the latest. But the morning and
afternoon passed, and Katherine made no sign, which Dorothy thought
was most unusual. All that day and the next Katherine went about
silent, sedate and serious, never once quoting the humorous Mr.
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