nough already to feel a personal interest in her
triumphs; but, after their interview in the morning (though he thought
it probable that Fanny's persuasive powers might prevail), he had
determined himself not to go, and he did not change his resolutions
lightly. Still he could not resist the temptation of getting one glimpse
at her in "review order." If Cecil had been very observant when she went
down to her carriage, she must have noticed a tall figure standing back,
half masked by a pillar, whose eyes literally flashed in the darkness as
they fastened on her in her passage through the lighted hall, and drank
in every item of her loveliness. He stood still for some moments after
she was gone, and then walked slowly down to the Cercle. While they were
talking about him at Madame de Verzenay's, Royston was holding his own
gallantly at _ecarte_ with Armand de Chateaumesnil, for the honor of
England and--ten Napoleons a side. As was his wont, he played superbly;
but he spoke seldom, and hardly seemed to hear the comments of the
crowded _galerie_. In truth, at some most critical points--when the game
was in abeyance at _quatre a_--a delicate proud face, and a shell wreath
glistening in velvet hair, _would_ rise before him, and dethrone in his
thoughts the painted kings and queens. His adversary did not fail to
observe this; but he said nothing till the play was ended and most of
the others had left the room. Then he laid his hand on Keene's arm, and
drew his head down to the level of his own lips, and spoke low:

"Mon camarade, je me rappelle, d'avoir vu, il y a quelques ans, au Cafe
de la Regence, un homme qui tenait tete, aux echecs, a quatre
concurrens. Les habitues en disaient des merveilles. Mais ce n'etait
qu'un bon bourgeois apres tout; et, nous autres, nous sommes plus forts
que les bourgeois. Vouz avez joue ce soir les deux parties que, dit le
proverbe, c'est presque impossible de remporter simultanement; et je ne
me tiens pas pour le seul perdant."

Royston did not seem in the least inclined to smile; had he done so
Armand would have been bitterly disappointed. As it was, he answered
very coldly, without a shade of consciousness on his face.

"Un compliment merite toujours des remercimens, M. le Vicomte, meme
quand on ne le comprend pas. Pardon, si je vous engage, de ne pas
expliquer plus clairement votre allegorie."

The other looked up at him with an expression that might almost have
been mistaken for sympath