this was the beginning of the
new day--the day she should go to her husband's home; and she had
accused him of all the base things a man could do, and he had behaved
like a gentleman; and it was she who was base, and had sold herself for
her brother's life, sold what should never be bartered for any life,
but only for love.

Well, there was nothing to be done, only to "play the game"--the
hackneyed phrase came back to her; he had used it, so it was sacred.
Yes, all she could do for him now was, to "play the game"--everything
else was--too late.

CHAPTER XXXIII

People left by all sorts of trains and motors in the morning; but there
were still one or two remaining, when the bride and bridegroom made
their departure, in their beautiful new car with its smart servants,
which had come to fetch them, and take them to Wrayth.

And, just as the Dover young ladies on the pier had admired their
embarkation, with its _apanages_ of position and its romantic look, so
every one who saw them leave Montfitchet was alike elated. They were
certainly an ideal pair.

Zara had taken the greatest pains to dress herself in her best. She
remembered Tristram had admired her the first evening they had arrived
for this visit, when she had worn sapphire blue, so now she put on the
same colored velvet and the sable coat--yes, he liked that best, too,
and she clasped some of his sapphire jewels in her ears and at her
throat. No bride ever looked more beautiful or distinguished, with her
gardenia complexion and red burnished hair, all set off by the velvet
and dark fur.

But Tristram, after the first glance, when she came down, never looked
at her--he dared not. So they said their farewells quietly; but there
was an extra warmth and tenderness in Ethelrida's kiss, as, indeed,
there was every reason that there should be. If Zara had known! But the
happy secret was still locked in the lovers' breasts.

"Of course it must come all right, they look so beautiful!" Ethelrida
exclaimed unconsciously, waving her last wave on the steps, as the motor
glided away.

"Yes, it must indeed," whispered Francis, who was beside her, and she
turned and looked into his face.

"In twenty minutes, all the rest will be gone except the Crow, and
Emily, and Mary, and Lady Anningford, who are staying on; and oh,
Francis, how shall I get through the morning, knowing you are with
Papa!"

"I will come to your sitting-room just before luncheon time, my
dear