who is a god, was too near
to his kingdom to admit of any rival.

"Hector," she whispered, and as she said his name a wild thrill ran
through him again. "Hector--the Austrian Prince at Armenonville said
life was a current down which our barks floated, only to be broken up on
the rocks if it was our fate; and I said if we tried very hard some
angel would steer us past them into smooth waters beyond; and I want you
to help me to find the angel, dear--will you?"

But all he could say was that she was the angel, the only angel in
heaven or earth.

And so they came at last to the Bason de Neptune, and on through the
side door into the Reservoirs--and there was the widow's automobile that
moment arrived.

XII

Every one behaved with immense propriety--they said just what they
should have said, there was no _gene_ at all. And when they went up the
stairs together to arrange their hair and their hats for dinner, the
elder woman slipped her arm through Theodora's.

"I am going to marry your father, my dear," she said, "and I want you to
be the first to wish me joy."

The dinner went off with great gayety. The widow especially was full of
bright sayings, and Captain Fitzgerald made the most devoted lover. Not
too elated by his good-fortune, and yet thoroughly happy and tender. He
continually told himself that fate had been uncommonly kind to mix
business and pleasure so dexterously, for if the widow had not possessed
a cent, he still would have been glad to marry her.

He had been quite honest with her on their drive, explaining his
financial situation and his disadvantages, which he said could only be
slightly balanced by his devotion and affection--but of those he would
lay the whole at her feet.

And the widow had said:

"Now look here, I am old enough just to know what my money is worth--and
if you like to put it as a business speculation for me, I consider, in
buying the companion for the rest of my life who happens to suit me, I
am laying out the sum to my own advantage."

After that there was no more to be said, and he had spent his time
making love to her like any Romeo of twenty, and both were content.

All through dinner a certain strange excitement dominated Theodora. She
felt there would be more deep emotion yet to come for her before the day
should close.

How were they going back to Paris?

The moon had risen pure and full, she could see it through the windows.
The night was soft and warm