esire you to order the most complete trousseau in Paris,
everything that a great lady could possibly want for visits and
entertainments; and you must secure a good maid there, and return with
all the _apanages_ of your position."

She bowed, as at the reception of an order. She did not thank him.

"I will not give you any advice what to get," he went on. "Your own
admirable taste will direct you. I understand that in the days of your
late husband you were a beautifully dressed woman, so you will know all
the best places to go to. But please to remember, while I give you
unlimited resources for you to do what I wish, I trust to your honor
that you will bestow none of them upon the--man Sykypri. The bargain is
about the child; the father is barred from it in every way."

Zara did not answer, she had guessed this, but Mirko's welfare was of
first importance. With strict economy Mimo could live upon what he
possessed, if alone and if he chose to curtail his irresponsible
generosities.

"Do I understand I have your word of honor about this?" her uncle
demanded.

Her empress' air showed plainly now. She arose from the chair and stood
haughtily drawn up:

"You know me and whether my spoken word 'is required or no," she said,
"but if it will be any satisfaction to you to have it I give it!"

"Good--Then things are settled, and, I hope, to the happiness of all
parties."

"Happiness!" she answered bitterly. "Who is ever happy?" Then she turned
to go, but he arrested her.

"In two or three years' time you will admit to me that you know of four
human beings who are ideally happy." And with this enigmatic
announcement ringing in her ears, she went on up the stairs to her
sitting-room.

Who were the _four_ people? Herself and himself and Mimo and Mirko? Was
it possible that after all his hardness towards them he meant to be
eventually kind? Or was the fourth person not Mimo, but her future
husband? Then she smiled grimly. It was not very likely _he_ would be
happy--a beast, like the rest of men, who, marrying her only for her
uncle's money, having been ready to marry her for that when he had never
even seen her--was yet full enough of the revolting quality of his sex
to be desirous now to kiss her and clasp her in his arms!

As far as she was concerned he would have no happiness!

And she herself--what would the new life mean? It appeared a blank--an
abyss. A dark curtain seemed to overhang and cover it. All she could