way to a door and passed out of the _salon_;
probably the salvo of plaudits had roused him, as well as herself,
to consciousness, and enabled him to perceive that he was no longer
master of his feelings. Her anxiety stung her more sharply than before.
Heedless of the looks of amazement cast upon her, she pressed through
the listening throng and made for the nearest door. She hurried on as
if to stay some imminent stroke of calamity, filled with a vague sense
of self-reproach and responsibility. She came upon him as he stood in
the ante-chamber; he had put on his _kepi_, and was just about to throw
his cloak round his shoulders. They were alone, for all the servants
had taken the liberty to join the audience in the music-room. With a
quick step she went towards him.

"Captain Mansana!"

At the sound of his name he turned. Theresa's eyes were kindling with
excitement; he noticed the delicious _abandon_ with which she threw
back, with both hands, the masses of loose hair from her forehead--a
gesture habitual with her in moments of sudden decision, and one that
flashed unconsciously upon the beholder all the rare beauty of her
figure.

"Yesterday," she continued, "the new pair of Hungarian horses, of which
I spoke to you lately, arrived here. To-morrow I should like them to
have a trial. I want you to be kind enough to come and drive them for
me. You will come, will you not?"

His face paled under the deep bronze of his skin; she could hear how
fast his breath came and went. But he neither looked at her nor spoke;
only with a low bow he signified his assent to her invitation. Then he
laid his hand upon the great hasp of antique hammered ironwork that
fastened the door, and threw it back with a clang.

"At four o'clock," she added hastily. He bowed again without looking
up; but as he passed through the open doorway, he drew himself erect,
turned full towards her, hat in hand, and gave her one glance of
farewell. He saw the gaze of troubled inquiry which the strange
significance of his expression not unnaturally provoked. For his face
bore witness to the sudden flash of inspiration that shot across the
brooding darkness of his soul. _Now_ he knew how it was all to end.

CHAPTER VIII

By four o'clock the next day, Mansana was being conducted through the
ante-room, mirror-room, and concert-hall, to one of the Gothic
apartments in the interior of the palace, where scattered about on