at was absorbed by
a far greater attraction that night.

She sat at the end of the room like a queen holding her court, and beside
her sat the Viking, stern-faced and remote of mien, as supremely isolated
as though he sat with her on a desert island. He spoke but seldom, and
then to her exclusively. But when he spoke, she turned to him the radiant
face of the woman who holds within her grasp her heart's desire.

She was superbly dressed in many-shaded blue, and jewels sparkled with
every breath she drew. Above her forehead, there nestled in the gold of
her hair a single splendid diamond that burned like a multi-coloured
flame. She was at the acme of her triumph that night. Of all who knew
her, there was not one who had seen her thus. They watched her almost
with bated breath. She was like a being from another world. She
transcended every expectation of her.

The band played only dance-music, by her desire, it was said; but such
music as wrought irresistibly upon the senses and emotions. She was
preparing her audience for what should follow. Throughout the meal,
excitement was steadily rising. There was almost a feeling of delirium in
the air.

Before the bulk of diners had finished, she rose to go. Her cavalier rose
with her, flinging her gauzy wrap of blue and gold over his arm. It was
the signal for a demonstration. In a moment a youth with eyes ablaze
with adoration sprang on to a table in the centre of the vast room with a
glass of red wine held high.

"A Rozelle! A Rozelle!"

The cry went up to the domed roof in a great crescendo of sound, and
instantly the place was a pandemonium of shouting, excited figures. They
crowded towards the table at which the _danseuse_ still stood. And just
for a second--one fleeting second--her eyes showed a curious fear. She
stood almost as one at a loss. Then in a flash her irresolution was gone.
Her beautiful face smiled its own inimitable smile. The music of her
laughter rang silvery through the tumult. She made a dainty gesture of
acceptance, of acknowledgment, of friendly appreciation; then lightly she
turned to go.

Her companion made a path for her. He looked as if he could have hewn his
way through a wall of rock at that moment, and his uncompromising bearing
gained him respect. No one attempted to gainsay him.

They were gone almost before they realized that their idol had not spoken
a word to them. The moment was past, and the excitement died down to a
buzz of talk