, and when the last sips of coffee and
liqueurs were finished it was still only nine o'clock.

On an occasion when no personal excitement was stirring Captain
Fitzgerald he probably would have hesitated about approving of Theodora
spending the entire evening alone with Lord Bracondale. She was married,
it was true--but to Josiah Brown--and Dominic Fitzgerald knew his
world. To-night, however, neither the widow nor he had outside thoughts
beyond themselves. Indeed, Mrs. McBride was so overflowing with joy she
had almost a feeling of satisfaction in the knowledge that the others
would possibly be happy too--when she thought of them at all!

Again she decided the situation for every one, and again fate laughed.

There was no use staying any longer at Versailles, because the park
gates were shut and they could not stroll in the moonlight, but a drive
back and a few turns in the Bois with a little supper at Madrid would be
a fitting ending to the day.

"You must meet us at Madrid at half-past ten," she said; "and
Dominic"--the name came out as if from long habit--"telephone for a
table in the bosquet--Numero 3--I like that garcon best, he knows my
wants."

And so they got into their separate automobiles.

"Let us have all the windows down," said Theodora, "to get all the
beautiful air--it is such a lovely night."

Her heart was beating as it had never beat before. How could she control
herself! How keep calm and ordinary during the enchanting drive! Her
hands were cold as ice, while flaming roses burned in the white velvet
cheeks.

And Hector saw it all and understood, and passion surged madly in his
veins. For a mile or two there was silence--only the moonlight and the
swift rushing through the air, and the wild beating of their hearts. And
so they came to the long, dark stretch of wood by St. Cloud. And the
devil whispered sophistries and fate continued to laugh. Then passion
was too strong for him.

"Darling," he said, and his fine resolutions fled to the winds, while
his deep voice was hoarse and broken. "My darling!--God! I love you
so--beyond all words or sense--Oh, let us be happy for this one
night--we must part afterwards I know, and I will accept that--but just
for to-night there can be no sin and no harm in being a little
happy--when we are going to pay for it with all the rest of our lives.
Let us have the memory of one hour of bliss--the angels themselves could
not grudge us that."

One hour of blis