Here one is free." They looked into each other's faces and Henry noticed that Michael had not quite got his old exuberant expression of the vivid joy of life--he was paler and even a little haggard, if so splendid a creature could look that! "I suppose he has been going the pace over here," Henry thought, and wondered why Michael's manner should be a little constrained.

Then they shook hands with their usual cordiality and said good-night.

And Michael prepared to go on to a supper party, with a feeling of wild rebellion in his heart.

The sight of his old friend and the knowledge that he was on his way to join Sabine drove him almost mad again.
"I suppose they will be formally engaged in the New Year.

I wonder how my little girl is bearing it--if she is half as miserable as I am, God comfort her," he cried to himself; and then he felt he could not stand Miss Daisy Van der Horn, and getting into his motor he told the chauffeur to drive into the Bois instead of to the supper.
Here among the dark trees he could think.