MAXINE PLAYS THE LAST HAND OF THE GAME When the play was over, I let Raoul drive home with me to supper.

If Godensky knew, as he may have known--since he seemed to know all my movements--perhaps he thought that I was seeing Raoul for the last time, and sending him away from me for ever.

But, though the game was not in my hands yet, the treaty was; and I had made up my mind to defy Godensky.
I had almost promised that, if he held his hand, I would give Raoul up; and never have I broken my word.

But if I wrote a letter to Godensky in the morning, saying I had changed my mind, that he could do his worst against Raoul du Laurier and against me, for nothing should part us two except death?
Then he would have fair warning that I did not intend to do the thing to which he had nearly forced me; and I would fight him, when he tried to take revenge.

But meanwhile, before he got that letter, I would--I must--find some way of putting the treaty back in its place at the Foreign Office.
It was too soon to dare to be happy, yet; for it was on the cards that, even when I had saved Raoul from the consequences of my political treachery, Godensky might still be able to ruin me with him.