As he saw that she did not heed him, the color died out from his face,

and the light from his eyes, and, with a sigh, he left her and went back

to his place in the orchestra.

The dance proceeded through all its graceful and intricate evolutions,

and even to the spectators in the gallery it was evident that Lady Luce

had stepped into the position of the belle of the ball. The excitement

of hope and fear, the gratification of vanity which sprang from her

consciousness that she was occupying the most prominent place as the

earl's partner, had given to her face the touch of warmth it needed to

make its beauty well-nigh perfect. Her lips were parted with a smile,

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the blue eyes--ordinarily a trifle cold--were glowing, and the diamonds

sparkled fiercely on her heaving bosom.

Nell could not remove her eyes from her, but sat like a bird held by the

fascination of the serpent. She was blind to all else but those two--the

man she loved, the woman to whom she had surrendered him.

The time passed unheeded by her, and Falconer's voice sounded miles away

as he bent over her.

"Dick has sent up to say that we can go," he said. "There's no fear of

the lights now; indeed, the ball is nearly over. This is the last

dance."

Nell rose stiffly and wearily.

"I--I am glad," she said.

"You are tired, very tired," he said. "Will you let me give you my arm?"

He felt her hand tremble as she put it on his arm, and he looked down at

her anxiously.

"I wish I had taken you out of this before," he said remorsefully. "I

have spoken to you--asked you--once or twice; but--but you did not seem

to hear me. It is my fault. I ought to have insisted upon your going."

"No, no!" said Nell. "It is nothing. I am a little tired, and----Is it

late?"

"Yes," he said. "Most of the people are leaving. It has been a great

success. Is this the way?"

They had gone down the stairs leading to the lower hall, but here

Falconer hesitated doubtfully. This second hall led into the larger one,

through which the guests were passing.

Nell caught a glimpse of them, and shrank back.

"Not there," she said warningly. "There must be a door----"

"Ah, here it is!" he said; and he led her through an opening between

portière curtains. They found themselves in a small conservatory, and

Falconer again stopped.




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