She finds an opportunity a minute later, when the colonel lingers to get the shawl she--perhaps purposely--left behind, to say in a low tone: "I was cruel--forgive me--forget that foolish word," and while what she utters gives him a pleasurable feeling, and brings the color into his set face, he only smiles, as he answers: "Willingly, Lady Ruth.

I did not believe you could mean it." Then, as the colonel bustles up, the subject is tabooed, and the party of tourists proceed down the steep street leading to the Hotel Imperial..