ainful at dinner whenever she
had spoken to him, her contempt showing plainly in her eyes, and it had
maddened and excited him; and when the other men had all drunk the
fiances' health and wished them happiness he had gulped down the old
brandy, and vowed to himself, "Before a year is out I will make her love
me as I love her, so help me God!"

And then they all had trooped up into the drawing-room just as Ethelrida
was saying,

"The northern property, Morndale, is not half so pretty as Wrayth--"

But when she saw them enter she rose and ceded her place to Tristram who
gladly sank into the sofa beside his lady.

He was to have no tete-a-tete, however, for Jimmy Danvers who felt it
was his turn to say something to the coming bride came now, and leant
upon the mantelpiece beside them.

"I am going to be the most severe 'best man' next Wednesday, Countess,"
he said. "I shall see that Tristram is at St. George's a good half-hour
before the time, and that he does not drop the ring; you trust to me!"
And he laughed nervously, Zara's face was so unresponsive.

"Countess Shulski does not know the English ceremony, Jimmy," Tristram
interrupted quickly, "nor what is a 'best man.' Now, if we were only
across the water we would have a rehearsal of the whole show as we did
for Darrowood's wedding."

"That must have been a joke," said Jimmy.

"It was very sensible there; there was such a lot of fuss, and
bridesmaids, and things; but we are going to be quite quiet, aren't we,
Zara? I hate shows; don't you?"

"Immensely," was all she answered.

Then Sir James, who felt thoroughly crushed, after one or two more
fatuous remarks moved away, and Zara arose in her character of hostess,
and spoke to Lady Coltshurst.

Tristram crossed over to the Duke and rapidly began a political
discussion, but while his uncle appeared to notice nothing unusual, and
entered into it with interest, his kind, old heart was wrung with the
pain he saw his favorite nephew was suffering.

"Mr. Markrute, I am troubled," Lady Ethelrida said, as she walked with
the host to look at an exquisite Vigee le Brun across the room. "Your
niece is the most interesting personality I have ever met; but,
underneath, something is making her unhappy, I am sure. Please, what
does it mean? Oh, I know I have promised what I did at dinner, but are
you certain it is all right? And can they ever be really at peace
together?"

Francis Markrute bent over, apparently to po