eles nodded again.

"You have guessed aright, my lady," he said. "See! there they are
together. A handsome pair; an admirable match. Yet it is sad to
think----" He stopped again.

"What?" cried Lady Merivale, grasping his scarlet-clad arm in a fierce
grip.

"It will never be!"

His companion trembled with suppressed eagerness.

"What do you meant?" she exclaimed. "Can you prevent it?"

"I both can and will," was the quiet answer. "But, come, let us seek a
more retired spot."

He drew her almost forcibly out of the recess into the shadow of some
palms, as Adrien Leroy, with a partner on his arm, approached the
alcove.

"Oh! Mr. Leroy," said Lady Chetwold, as they passed, "can you tell me
who this latest arrival is?"

"I have not seen her," said Adrien rather wearily; his eyes were bent on
Lady Constance, who had left him and was now dancing with Lord Standon.

"Oh, there she is!" exclaimed his voluble little companion. "Such a
magnificent Cleopatra, isn't she?"

She drew his attention to a tall lady who was looking rather anxiously
and constrainedly about her. Her dress certainly deserved the name of
magnificent. It was made for the greater part of apricot-coloured satin,
with gauze and tinselled chiffon fulled over it; from the shoulders was
suspended a long train of imperial purple velvet, on which was
embroidered in dull green, various Egyptian symbols. Her jewels too,
which were abundant, consisting chiefly of diamonds and large emeralds,
made her a regal, though almost theatrical figure. Yet, as her eyes met
the steady regard of Adrien's, she looked nervously round as if to make
her escape.

Lady Chetwold felt Adrien give a slight start, and looking up, she saw
that his lips had grown stern, and even through the mask detected the
angry gleam in his eyes.

"Do you know her?" she whispered.

"Yes!" he said. "But it would be a breach of confidence to betray her,
Lady Chetwold."

At the close of the dance he surrendered the little lady her next
partner, and went in search of the Cleopatra. He soon espied her, seated
in one of the recesses, and strode across to her. She started to her
feet as Adrien approached, then sinking back into her chair, she looked
up at him defiantly.

At that moment the band struck up the music for the cotillion, and the
mass of colours shifted in dazzling movement, as, amid the rustle of
silks and the ripple of laughter, the dance commenced.

Adrien was engaged to Lady