My lawyer arrives in England to-day from America on purpose to consult me and see what can be done to hasten matters.
My--husband--has not as yet started the proceedings it seems." Lord Fordyce's face paled.
"Does that mean anything sinister, dearest ?" he demanded, with a quiver in his cultivated voice.

"Sabine, you would tell me, would you not, if there were anything to fear ?" "I do not myself know what it means--I may have some news to-morrow--let us forget about it to-night.

Oh! I want to be happy just for to-night, Henry!" and she held out her hand again pleadingly.
"Indeed, you shall be, darling," and splendid and unselfish gentleman that he was, he crushed down his anguish, and used all his clever brain to divert and entertain her, and presently all the women went up to dress for dinner and the ball, and Lord Fordyce found Michael in the smoking-room.

He had really a deep affection for him; he had known him ever since he was an absolutely fearless, dare-devil little boy, the joy and pride of his father, Henry's old friend, and in spite of the full ten years' difference in their ages, they had ever been closest allies until their break at Arranstoun, and then Michael's five years abroad had made a gap, bridged over now since his return.

Lord Fordyce felt that Michael's intense vitality and radiating magnetism would be refreshing in the depressed state into which his lady love's words had thrown him, and he drew him over with him, and they sat down in two big chairs apart from the rest of the festive groups--some playing bridge or billiards.