But please to remember, while I give you unlimited resources for you to do what I wish, I trust to your honor that you will bestow none of them upon the--man Sykypri.

The bargain is about the child; the father is barred from it in every way." Zara did not answer, she had guessed this, but Mirko's welfare was of first importance.

With strict economy Mimo could live upon what he possessed, if alone and if he chose to curtail his irresponsible generosities.
"Do I understand I have your word of honor about this ?" her uncle demanded.
Her empress' air showed plainly now.

She arose from the chair and stood haughtily drawn up: "You know me and whether my spoken word 'is required or no," she said, "but if it will be any satisfaction to you to have it I give it!" "Good--Then things are settled, and, I hope, to the happiness of all parties." "Happiness!" she answered bitterly.

"Who is ever happy ?" Then she turned to go, but he arrested her.
"In two or three years' time you will admit to me that you know of four human beings who are ideally happy." And with this enigmatic announcement ringing in her ears, she went on up the stairs to her sitting-room.
Who were the _four_ people?
Herself and himself and Mimo and Mirko?
Was it possible that after all his hardness towards them he meant to be eventually kind?
Or was the fourth person not Mimo, but her future husband?
Then she smiled grimly.