CHAPTER X.
BLANCHE still held the untasted wine in her hand, when her father, who happened to be near, filled a glass, and said as he bowed to her: "Your good health, my daughter; and yours, Mr.Whitford," bowing to her companion also.
The momentary spell was broken.

Blanche smiled back upon her father and raised the glass to her lips.

The lights in the room seemed to Ellis to flash up again and blaze with a higher brilliancy.

Never had the taste of wine seemed more delicious.

What a warm thrill ran along his nerves! What a fine exhilaration quickened in his brain! The shadow which a moment before had cast a veil over the face of Blanche he saw no longer.