r," he said, with what calmness he could.

"But I ought to go back at once," his bride protested; "the Inn may be
shut and then what in the world should I do?"

"There is plenty of time, it certainly won't close its doors until
eleven--have some soup--or a cold quail and some salad--and see, I have
not forgotten the wedding-cake--you must cut that!"

Sabine was very hungry; she had had to pretend her head was aching too
much to go with her elders to the ruins of Elbank and had retired to her
room before they left, and had had no tea, and such dainties were not to
be resisted, especially the cake! After all, it could not be any harm
staying just this little while longer since no one would ever know, and
people who got married always did cut their own cakes. So she sat down
and began, he taking every care of her. They had the merriest supper,
and even the champagne, more of which he gave her, did not taste so
nasty after the first sip.

She had quail and salad and a wonderful ice--better than any, even on
the day of the holiday for Moravia's wedding far away in Rome; and
there were marrons glaces, too, and other divine bon-bons--and
strawberries and cream!

She had never enjoyed herself so much in her whole life. Her perfectly
innocent prattle enchanted Michael more and more with its touches of
shrewd common sense. He drank a good deal of champagne, too--and
finally, when it came to cutting the cake time, a wild thought began to
enter his head.

The icing was rather hard, and he had to help her--and stood beside her,
very near.

She looked up smilingly and saw something in his face. It caused her a
sudden wild emotion of she knew not what--and then she felt very nervous
and full of fear.

She moved abruptly away from him to the other side of the table, leaving
the cake--and stood looking at him with great, troubled, violet eyes.

He followed her.

"You little, sweet darling!" he whispered, his voice very deep. "Why
should you ever go away from me--I want to teach you to love me, Sabine.
You belong to me, you know--you are mine. I shall not let you leave me!
I shall keep you and hold you close!"

And he clasped her in his arms.

For he was a man, you see--and the moment had come!

CHAPTER V

FIVE YEARS AFTERWARDS

Mr. Elias Cloudwater came up the steps of the Savoy Hotel at Carlsbad,
and called to the Arab who was waiting about:

"Has the Princess come in from her drive yet?"

He was informed