e forward.

'I will lead you to your apartments, sire,' she said, offering the Duke
her slender hand. 'I am sure that the air of Sagan is as loyal as
ourselves, and will do for you all that we should wish it to do.'

For answer the Duke shook his head feebly; and, calling Colendorp to his
side, passed up the long hall through a rustling silence.

CHAPTER X.

COUNT SIMON OF SAGAN.

Although secretly dismayed at the effect produced by her rash
championship of Madame de Sagan, Valerie kept up a semblance of
self-possession. Her clear colouring faded to extreme pallor, but her
proud eyes showed no sign of shrinking from the curious glances cast
upon her. She caught a trenchant aside from Sagan to Elmur:

'These cursed women will ruin us!'

And in answer to this even Elmur's flattery was mute. But Valerie stood
haughty and erect, watching the Duke's suite file up the hall,
Rallywood, as before, bringing up in the rear.

As he came in line with her he turned his head, and their glances met.

That look, which she always recalled as distinctively his, was wiped
from the young man's gray eyes; they fell upon her stern, alienated,
almost inimical. The change struck her like a blow. But before she could
fling back her silent defiance at him, he was gone, without a second
glance, or seeking in any manner to soften the insolent rebuke he had
dared to convey.

She resolved to go to her own rooms and make instant arrangements for a
return to Revonde. Her heart was hot in her, as, looking round, she
found herself standing alone. Elmur, apparently forgetful of the deep
personal devotion he had so lately manifested, was conversing with a
group of Maasaun nobles, his back turned conveniently towards her. Sagan
had disappeared, and not one of those whom she knew so well, and who,
ten minutes ago, would have felt honoured by seeking her, but now seemed
too deeply engaged to notice that she stood alone.

A moment later Counsellor approached her. She had known him slightly for
a long time, but she now for the first time fully met the shrewd, kindly
eyes under their shaggy brows. Instantly she liked him, and to her own
surprise found herself talking of the indiscretion of which she had been
guilty, and of her wish to return to Revonde in consequence.

'Mademoiselle, are you a loyal Maasaun?' asked Counsellor gravely.

Valerie's soft dark eyes gazed steadily back into his.

'I am loyal,' she replied, in an earnest under-