Other men behaved very differently. They turned their backs on the sea and even went as far as to focus their binoculars on a pretty woman’s face or a well turned ankle.

The Prince was concentrating on the races, and Mistral thought that only Aunt Emilie would have been brave – or should she say brazen? – enough deliberately to force him to acknowledge their presence.

She had moved down the terrace, pushing her way through the crowd until finally she reached the Prince’s side. As he stared through his glasses, oblivious of everything save the little white yachts racing across the blue sea, she said in her most ingratiating tone,

‘Good afternoon, Your Serene Highness. Would you be kind enough to explain to us the intricacies of this race? My niece is extremely interested in yachts.’

There was nothing the Prince could do but put down his binoculars, kiss Aunt Emilie’s hand and smile at Mistral.

‘Are you really so inquisitive?’ he asked, and she saw the amusement in his eyes.

She had felt the colour rise in her checks and even while she lied, knowing that she dared not speak the truth in front of Aunt Emilie, she had despised herself for being a coward.

‘Yes – I – I am most interested,’ she stammered.

She knew that he did not believe her, and yet with that strange new gentleness which was quite unlike his original attitude towards her he made way for her to stand beside him and said quietly,

‘Let me explain what is happening.’

Emilie immediately moved away, leaving them alone, and while Mistral knew that such an unconventional action would cause a great deal of chatter and comment among the fashionable throng who were watching every movement, she was thankful when her aunt was out of earshot. Hastily in a low voice she said,

‘Please do not trouble about me, Your Serene Highness. I know you want to watch the race through your glasses.’

The Prince gave her a smile of friendly understanding.

‘I don’t believe the dragon knows the difference between a yacht and a rowing boat, so she won’t be able to cross-examine you afterwards.’

Mistral laughed. She could not help it. It might be disloyal to Aunt Emilie, but the Prince had such an amusing way of putting things and she was also certain that he was right where Aunt Emilie was concerned. After that she had ceased to be embarrassed and had, under the Prince’s instruction, even begun to understand a little of what was happening out to sea.

The Prince’s yacht won and he cheered in his excitement, boyishly waving his cap above his head. A great many other people cheered, too, because he was young and popular and because they liked his unsophisticated enthusiasm. But as soon as the cheers had died away, he said to Mistral,