Anything more thoroughly heartbroken and despairing than that cry I have never heard.

After he had concluded it, the poor animal seemed ashamed of what he had done, and creeping meekly along, with drooping head and tail, he kissed his master's hand, then mine, and lastly Zara's.

Finally, he went into a distant corner and lay down again, as if his feelings were altogether too much for him.
"Is he ill ?" I asked pityingly.
"I think not," replied Heliobas.

"The weather is peculiar to-day--close, and almost thunderous; dogs are very susceptible to such changes." At that moment the page entered bearing a silver salver, on which lay a letter, which he handed to his master and immediately retired.
Heliobas opened and read it.
"Ivan regrets he cannot dine with us to-day," he said, glancing at his sister; "he is otherwise engaged.

He says, however, that he hopes to have the pleasure of looking in during the latter part of the evening." Zara inclined her head gently, and made no other reply.
A few seconds afterwards we rose from table, and Zara, linking her arm through mine, said: "I want to have a talk with you while we can be alone.