form trembled with the
force of her emotion, her mother hastened to add, "Gentlemen, you will
rejoice with us that our daughter was last week formally betrothed to
the Count de Roannes!"

The inevitable _had_ happened.

CHAPTER XVI

How the remainder of the evening passed, Paul Zalenska never knew. As he
looked back upon it, during the months that followed, it seemed like
some hideous dream from which he was struggling to awake. He talked, he
smiled, he even laughed, but scarcely of his own volition; it was as
though another personality acted through him.

He was a temperate boy, but that night he drank more champagne than was
good for him. Paul Verdayne was grieved. Not that he censured the lad.
He knew only too well the anguish the Boy was suffering, and he could
not find it in his heart to blame him for the dissipation. And yet
Verdayne also knew how unavailing were all such attempts to drown the
sorrow that had so shocked the Boy's sensitive spirit.

As he gazed regretfully at the Boy across the dinner table, the butler
placed a cablegram before him. Receiving a nod of permission from his
hostess, he hastily tore open the envelope and paled at its contents.

The message was signed by the Verdaynes' solicitor, and read:

_Sir Charles very ill. Come immediately._

* * * * *

Before they left the house, Paul sought Opal for a few last words. There
were no obstacles placed in his way now by anxious parental authority.
He smiled cynically as he noticed how clear the way was made for him,
now that Opal was "safeguarded" by her betrothal.

She drew him to one side, whispering, "Before you judge me too harshly,
Paul, please listen to what I have to say. I feel I have the right to
make this explanation, and you have the right to hear it. Under the
French law, I am legally bound to the Count de Roannes. Fearing that I
might not remain true to a mere verbal pledge--you knew we were engaged,
Paul, for I told you that, last summer--the Count asked that the
betrothal papers be executed before his unavoidable return to Paris.
Knowing no real reason for delay, since it had to come some time, I
consented; but I stipulated that I was to have six months of freedom
before becoming his wife. Arrangements have been made for us all to go
abroad next spring, and we shall be married in Paris. Paul, I did not
tell you this, this afternoon--I could not! I wanted to see you--the
real you