d with all the schooling
that each one had been through, it was extremely difficult to behave
naturally. Michael did not fight with himself, except to keep from all
outward expression; he knew he was simply overcome with emotion; but
Sabine continued to throw dust in her own eyes. The sudden wild beating
of her heart she put down to every other reason but the true one. It was
most wrong of Michael to have come to this party; but it was, of course,
done out of bravado to show her that she did not matter to him at
all--so with supreme sangfroid she greeted him casually, and then turned
eyes of tenderness to Henry.

"You were going to show me the miniatures in the next room, Lord
Fordyce--were you not?" she said, sweetly, and took a step on toward the
door, leaving Michael with pain and rage for company.

She had never allowed Henry to kiss her since that one occasion at
Heronac. It was not as it should be, she affirmed--until she were free
and really engaged to him, she prayed him to behave always only as a
friend. Lord Fordyce acquiesced, as he would have done to any penance
she chose to impose upon him, and in his secret thoughts rather
respected her for her decision; he was then more than delighted when she
put her slender hand upon his arm with possessive familiarity as soon
as they had reached the anteroom where the collection of miniatures were
kept; but he did not know that she was aware that Michael stood where he
could see them through the archway.

"My darling!" and he lifted the white fingers to his lips. Sabine had
particularly beautiful hands, and they were his delight. She never wore
any rings--only her wedding-ring and the one great pearl Henry had
persuaded her to let him give her, but this was on her right hand.

"It would mean nothing for me to have it on the left one--while that bar
of gold is there," she had told him. "I will only take it if you let me
have it as a gage of friendship," and as ever he agreed. He was so
passionately in love with her, there was nothing in the world he would
not have done or left undone to please her. His eye followed her always
with rapture, and her slightest wish was instantly obeyed. Sabine was
naturally an autocrat, and, but for the great generosity of her spirit,
might have made him suffer considerably, but she did not, being
consistently gentle and sweet.

"My darling!" Henry repeated, in the little anteroom, while his fond
eyes devoured her face. "Sometimes I l