Amid a flutter of silken skirts and dainty laces--while the hidden beauty shrilly protested--he dragged first the ankle, and then a shapely leg into sight.

The circle applauded; the lady, feeling herself still drawn on, screamed loudly and more loudly.
All save the King and his opponent turned to look.

And then the sport came to a sudden end.

A sinewy hand appeared, interposed, released; for an instant the dark, handsome face of Guise looked through the doorway.
It was gone as soon as seen; it was there a second only.

But more than one recognised it, and wondered.