to repair the faults which they had committed then. The whole thing was
plain--he had never really cared an atom for her. He had been only
affected by passion, even on her wedding night when he was pouring love
vows into her startled ears.

"He was probably horribly surprised to come upon me at Heronac," her
thoughts now ran, "and then just sampled me--and went off as soon as he
could--back to Daisy in Paris!"

Here chagrin began to rise, and soon dried all her tears.

Yes! she hoped he would ask them to Arranstoun. She would certainly go,
and try to punish him as much as she could by showing her absorption in
Henry, and her complete indifference to himself. His vanity would be
wounded, since he had owned to being a dog in the manger. That would be
her only revenge--and what a paltry one! She felt that--and was ashamed
of herself; but all human beings are paltry when their self-love is
wounded and the passion of jealousy has them in its thrall, and Sabine
was no better nor worse than any other woman probably. Once more she
made resolutions, firm resolutions to think no more of Michael either
good or bad. It was perfectly sickening--the humiliation and degradation
of his so frequently coming into her mind. She pulled the despatch-box
nearer to her again, and in anger and contempt took from an envelope a
brown and withered spray of flowers, which had once been stephanotis,
and with forceful rage flung them into the fire.

"There! that is done with--ridiculous, hateful sentiment, go!"

And when she had shut the lid down with a snap, she rang for Simone and
began to dress for dinner, an extra flush burning in her cheeks.

They crossed to England a week or so later, Lord Fordyce meeting them at
Charing Cross, and going with them to the Hotel.

How dear he seemed, and how distinguished he looked! He was as ever a
soothing and uplifting influence, and before the evening was over,
Sabine felt calmed and happy, and sure she had done the right thing in
deciding to link her life with his.

But it was not so with Moravia. Lord Fordyce had attracted her from the
moment she had first seen him, and as things do during periods of time,
unconsciously this feeling had simmered, and upon seeing him again had
boiled up; and alas! Moravia--beautiful young widow and Princess--found
herself extremely perturbed and excited, and undoubtedly becoming deeply
interested in the declared lover of her friend. Henry for her had every
charm.