--I know I have been an unspeakable brute--I have
not the grain of an excuse to offer--and yet she has forgiven me. Women
are certainly angels, are they not, _mon Pere_?"

The Cure of Heronac sighed gently.

"Angels when they love, and demons when they hate--of an unbalance--but
a great charm. It lies with us men to decide the feather-weight which
will make the scale go either way with them--to heaven or hell."

Here the ancient housekeeper announced that coffee and rolls were ready
for them in the other room, and the Pere Anselme led the way without
further words.

Less than an hour later, the two men who loved this one woman met just
over the causeway, where Henry awaited Michael's coming. It was a
difficult moment for them both, but they clasped hands with a few
ordinary words. Henry's walk in the wind had strengthened his nerves.
For some reason, he was now conscious that he was feeling no acute pain
as he had expected that he would do, and that there was even some kind
of satisfaction in the thought that, on this Christmas morning, he was
able to bring great happiness to Sabine. He could not help remarking, as
they crossed the drawbridge, that Michael looked a most suitable mate
for her: he was such a picture of superb health and youth. As they
entered the courtyard, Moravia and her little son came out of the main
door.

The Princess greeted them gaily. She was going to show Girolamo the big
waves from the causeway bridge before going on to church; they had a
good half-hour. She experienced no surprise at seeing Michael, only
asking about his night journey's uncomfortableness, and then she turned
to Henry:

"Come and join us there by the high parapet, Henry, as soon as you have
taken Mr. Arranstoun up to Sabine. She has not come out of her wing yet;
but I know that she is dressed and in her sitting-room," and smiling
merrily, she took Girolamo's little hand and went her way.

There was no sound when the two men reached Sabine's sitting-room door.
Henry knocked gently, but no answer came; so he opened it and looked in.
Great fires burned in the wide chimneys and his flowers gave forth sweet
scent, but the Lady of Heronac was absent, or so it seemed.

"Come in, Michael, and wait," Henry said; and then, from the embrasure
of the far window, they heard a stifled exclamation, and saw that Sabine
was indeed there after all, and had risen from the floor, where she had
been kneeling by the window-seat looking out