ther to
observe that she was even whiter than usual and had dark rings under
her eyes.

"It is too beautiful a morning to remain indoors," she said, as she
gave him her hand and he took the seat beside her. "We will drive in
the Park and then up the river for a bit."

She was completely at her ease, and she was the Madame Zattiany of the
night he had met her. But she did not elaborate the role, and asked
him how he had left his friends at the camp and if he had enjoyed his
fishing trip.

"Enough of this," he interrupted, when he had mastered his excitement
at being close to her once more. After all, he had expected something
of the sort. She was just the woman to fall back on her infernal
technique. "I know that you went down to Huntersville to meet
Hohenhauer, and that the result of that interview was an abrupt flight
from me--possibly from him. I want the truth."

Her face had flushed, but as the color ebbed she looked almost waxen.
"I relied on Din----"

"Well, I guessed it and he admitted the fact. And if he hadn't I'd
have come after you, anyhow. Your note was enough to tell any man
something was wrong. I shall not be put off and I will have an answer
to my questions. Do you love me no longer?"

"Oh, yes," she said softly. "I love you." But when he tried to take
her hand she drew it away.

"Do you still intend to marry me?"

"Won't you give me a few days more to think it over?"

"No, I will not. And--do you need them? Haven't you already made up
your mind?"

She sighed and looked out of the window. They were driving up Fifth
Avenue and the bright street was full of color and life. The busses
and motors were filled with women on their way to the shops, whose gay
windows were the most enticing in the world. New York, in this, her
River of Delight, looked as if she had not a care in the world.

Madame Zattiany did not speak again until they were in the Park.

"I have promised to marry you, remember; and I do not lightly go back
on my word. . . . But . . . I had intended to ask if you would be
willing to let me go alone to Vienna for six months--and then join
me----"

"After I had lost you completely! I shall marry you here, today, or
not at all. I love you but I'll not let you play with me. I'll go to
Austria with you, and you may do as you choose when you get there.
You'll belong to me and I'll make the best of it."

"If I married you now it would not be worth my while to retu