to the chateau," she finally replied.

"The count was annoying you?" walking beside her.

"Thanks to you, Monsieur, the annoyance is past."

Some ground was gone over in silence. This silence disturbed her far
more than the sound of his voice. It gave him a certain mastery. So
she spoke.

"You said 'Madame'," tentatively.

"Such was the title D'Herouville applied." And again he became silent.

"Did he tell you my name?" with a sudden and unexpected fierceness.

"No, Madame; he did not speak your name. But he knows it; while I, who
love you honorably and more than my life, I must remain in ignorance.
An expedition is to start soon, Madame, and as I shall join it, my
presence here will no longer afford you annoyance."

"Wherefore this rage, Madame, shining in your beautiful eyes, thinning
your lips, widening your nostrils?"

Madame was in a rage; but not even the promise of salvation would have
forced the cause from her lips. O for Paris, where, lightly and
wittily, she could humble this man! Here wit was stale on the tongue,
and every one went about with a serious purpose. She went on, her chin
tilted, her gaze lofty. The wind tossed her hair, there were phantom
roses on her cheeks which bloomed and withered and bloomed yet again.
Diane, indeed: Diane of the green Aegean sea and the marbles of Athens!

"You need go no farther, Monsieur. It is quite unnecessary, as I know
the way perfectly."

"I prefer to see you safe inside the chateau," with quiet determination.

Was this the gallant who had attracted her fancy? This was not the way
he had made love in former days. Slyly her eyes revolved in his
direction. His temples were grey! She had not noted this change till
now. Grey; and the face, tanned even in the shaven jaws, was careworn.
There was a gesture which escaped his notice. Why had she been guilty
of the inexcusable madness, the inexplicable folly, of this voyage?

"Madame, this is your door."

The Chevalier stepped aside and uncovered.

"Monsieur, you have lost a valuable art." There was a fleeting glance,
and she vanished within, leaving him puzzled and astonished by the
unexpected softening of her voice. How long he stood there, with his
gaze fixed upon the vacant doorway, he never knew. What did she mean?

"Well, Paul?" And Victor, having come up behind, laid his hand on the
Chevalier's arm. "Do you know her, then?" nodding toward the door.

"Know her?" The Chevalier fac