I appeal to you. Come with me and remain with me
until it has been proved, if ever it can be proved, that greater
interests require our separation. If there be blame I will take it.
Will you trust yourself to me?"
Lucille half rose, but Lady Carey's hand was heavy upon her
shoulder. As though by a careless movement General Dolinski and
Raoul de Brouillac altered their positions slightly so as to come
between the two. The Duke of Dorset had left the room. Then Mr.
Sabin knew that they were all against him.
"Lucille," he said, "have courage! I wait for you."
She looked towards him, and her face puzzled him. For there
flashed across the shoulders of these people a glance which was
wholly out of harmony with his own state of barely subdued passion
--a glance half tender, half humorous, full of subtle promise.
Yet her words were a blow to him.
"Victor, how is it possible? Believe me, I should come if I could.
To-morrow--very soon, it may be possible. But now. You hear what
the Prince says. I fear that he is right!"
To Mr. Sabin the shock was an unexpected one. He had never doubted
but that she at least was on his side. Her words found him unprepared,
and a moment he showed his discomfiture. His recovery however, was
swift and amazing. He bowed to Lucille, and by the time he raised
his head even the reproach had gone from his eyes.
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