her;
their inclination had long sought such a meeting but pride had
restrained them. So they were both glad and indignant at this accident
but could not express both feelings. In a circle of friends their
conduct must be such that no one should know that this meeting was not
of daily occurrence with them.

Toward the close of the festivity and banquet, which lasted until late
at night, Vitez took care that all his guests should be lodged with
due comfort. The wives were with their husbands, the young girls had
an apartment to themselves and the young men the rooms assigned to the
hunters.

For Banfy and his wife a pavilion in the garden had been fitted up,
which promised to be the quietest spot as it was quite separated from
the noisy court. As an especial mark of attention the master himself
conducted them there. It had been some time since they had slept under
the same roof but in the presence of so many acquaintances they could
not show their feelings and were compelled to accept the provision
made for them. It was not enough to accompany them there himself but
the host indulged in many jests and finally left them alone after many
times wishing them good-night.

The pavilion consisted of two adjoining rooms. They looked very
pleasant; in one of them a merry fire blazed high in the chimney and
the tall clock in the corner ticked familiarly. Behind the parted
brocade curtains of the high bed were seen the snow-white feather-beds
inviting to rest, and two small red-bordered pillows on them. In the
other room partly lighted by the firelight was a sofa covered with a
bear's skin and with one cushion of deerskin. Evidently it had not
been expected that anybody would sleep here.

Banfy looked at his wife sadly. Now for the first time, since he could
no longer come near her he saw what a treasure he had had in this
beautiful and noble woman. Gentle, sorrowful, with eyes downcast, his
wife stood before him. In her heart too many traitorous feelings were
pleading for her husband. Pride and injured wifely dignity, that
inflexible judge, began almost to waver. In a noble heart love does
not give way to hatred but to pain.

Banfy stepped nearer to his wife, took her hand in his and pressed it.
He felt the hand tremble, but there was no return of his pressure. He
kissed her gently on the forehead, cheeks and lips: the lady permitted
this but without return, and yet--had she looked up at her husband she
would have seen in hi