des depending on him, he would go and once
more offer succor to this libertine princelet.

"No, not that way," the Belgian directed. "The path here, it leads the
more direct at the pond, so. Quick!" He knew that foliage would hide the
couple until Driscoll should turn the corner of the hedge and burst on
them squarely. The American hastened down the walk. "A nice surprise,
mutual." Eloin chuckled to himself.

Jacqueline did not falter before her victory. She knew that Maximilian
rated the Mexican throne as a stepping-stone to another in Europe. She
knew of a certain family pact among the Hapsburgs and how it rankled in
Maximilian's breast. Therein he had, on accepting the Mexican throne,
solemnly renounced all right of inheritance to that of Austro-Hungary.
But she knew also that he considered his oath as void, since Franz Josef
had forced it on him. Craftily she pictured the Mexican enterprise, how
instead of enhancing his prestige at home, it but turned him into a
sorry and ridiculous figure. And so she won the child of Destiny. Yet,
when in a sudden fervent outburst he came and sat beside her, and would
have taken her hand, she still did not falter. Napoleon would have the
glory, and she a shame unexplained, but for all that her country would
have Mexico. Her country would have Mexico! Would have a vast expanse of
empire, greater and more enduring than any won for her by Bonaparte
himself.

Nevertheless, she brushed away the gallant's arm with more vigor than
her coy role demanded. "No, no," she moaned faintly, "not yet!"

"But, _cruelle_----"

"Not yet, not until I know that you will try to win in Austria, not
until--you abdicate here!"

"But, I shall sail this very month, I----"

"And never return, never to Mexico?"

"Never!"

Frankly, then, she placed her hands in his.

That moment Driscoll turned the corner of the hedge, and was before
them. He fell back, and reddened as though himself caught in wrongdoing.
It was strange how he noted, at such a time, that she was clothed in
light blue, in the very dress he had given her. But no, he perceived at
once that it was of some delicate silk from Japan. Yet the pattern was
so nearly the same. She must have selected it--she had selected
it!--with him in mind. And now, against a girl's love so quaintly, shyly
revealed, to behold this contrast, her hands there, wantonly
surrendered!

Instantly she tore herself free and confronted him.

"Oh, why, _why_," she