searched the world over for a
fitting setting for their idyl, they could not have selected a retreat
more perfect than this. It was made for lovers who love as they did."

And at last, under the witchery of the star-studded skies, wearied and
hungry, but filled and thrilled with the fragrance and glory of the
memories of the mother whom his young heart idealized, he left the
launch at the landing by the terrace steps and started blithely for the
little restaurant, dreaming, always dreaming, not of the future--but of
the past.

For him, alas, the future held no promise!

CHAPTER XXII

During the Boy's absence that day a new guest had arrived at the little
hotel. A capricious American lady, who had come to Lucerne, "for a day
or two's rest," she said, before proceeding to Paris where an impatient
Count awaited her and his wedding-day.

Yes, Opal was actually in Lucerne, and the suite of rooms once occupied
by the mysterious Madame Zalenska were now given over to the little lady
from over the seas, who, in spite of her diminutive stature, contrived
to impress everybody with a sense of her own importance. She had just
received a letter from her fiance, an unusually impatient communication,
even from him. He was anxious, he said, for her and his long-delayed
honeymoon. Honeymoon! God help her! Her soul recoiled in horror from the
hideous prospect. Only two days more, she thought, pressing her lips
tightly together. Oh, the horror of it! She dared not think of it, or
she would go mad! But she would not falter. She had told herself that
she was now resigned. She was going to defeat Fate after all!

She had partaken of her dinner, and was standing behind the ivy that
draped the little balcony, watching the moon in its setting of Swiss
skies and mystic landscape. How white and calm and spotless it appeared!
It was not a man's face she saw there--but that of a woman--the face of
a nun in its saintly, virgin purity, suggesting only sweet inspiring
thoughts of the glory of fidelity to duty, of the comfort and peace and
rest that come of renunciation.

Opal clasped her hands together with a thrill of exultation at her own
victory over the love and longings that were never to be fulfilled. A
song of prayer and thanksgiving echoed in her heart over the thought
that she had been strong enough to do her duty and bear the cross that
life had so early laid upon her shoulders. She felt so good--so true--so
pure--so strong