would have smiled his cynical smile and have said to himself:

"The spark is not lit, my friend; her voice lacks enthusiasm and her
brows are calm," but he was like all lovers--blind--and only saw and
heard what could comfort his heart, and so caught at the straw with
delight.

"Whatever you asked I would give you. Only say that you will let me set
about helping you to be free at once."

Mrs. Howard, however, had not gone this far in her imaginings--the idea
had started in her brain, no doubt, but it had not matured yet, and all
was hesitancy.

"I cannot promise anything. You must give me time to think, Lord
Fordyce."

"Dearest, of course I will--but you will take steps to make yourself
free--will you not? I have not asked, and I will not ask you a single
question, only that you will tell me when I really may hope."

His voice was deep with feeling, and his distinguished, clever face was
eager and full of devotion, as they turned an abrupt corner, and there
came face to face with two of their American acquaintances in the hotel.

"Isn't this a charming walk, Mrs. Howard," and "Yes, isn't it!" and bows
and passings on; but it broke the current, destroyed the spell, and
released some spirit of mischief in Sabine's heart, for she would not
be grave for another second. She made Henry promise he would just amuse
her and not refer again to those serious topics unless she gave him
leave. And he, accustomed to go his own way unhampered by the caprices
of the gentle sex, agreed!--so under the dominion of love had he become!
for a woman, too, who in herself combined three things he had always
disliked. She was an American, she was very young, and she had an
equivocal position. But the little god does not consult the individual
before he shoots his darts, and punishes the most severely those who
have denied his power.

By the time they had reached the Savoy, Sabine, with that aptitude,
though it was perfectly unconscious in her, which is the characteristic
of all her countrywomen, had reduced Lord Fordyce to complete
subjection, so that he was ready to do any mortal thing in the world for
her, and willing to grasp suggestions of hope upon any terms.

She gave him a friendly smile, and disappeared up the stairs to their
sitting-room--there to find Moravia indulging in nerves.

"I just want to scream, darling!" that lady said, and Sabine patted her
hands.

"Then don't, Morri, dearest," she implored her. "You only want t