How long he had been a listener I knew not, but he had come in upon us in the nick of time.
"We must not keep his Eminence waiting," said I.
But Flavia, in whose love there lay no shame, with radiant eyes and blushing face, held out her hand to Sapt.

She said nothing, but no man could have missed her meaning, who had ever seen a woman in the exultation of love.

A sour, yet sad, smile passed over the old soldier's face, and there was tenderness in his voice, as bending to kiss her hand, he said: "In joy and sorrow, in good times and bad, God save your Royal Highness!" He paused and added, glancing at me and drawing himself up to military erectness: "But, before all comes the King--God save the King!" And Flavia caught at my hand and kissed it, murmuring: "Amen! Good God, Amen!" We went into the ballroom again.

Forced to receive adieus, I was separated from Flavia: everyone, when they left me, went to her.

Sapt was out and in of the throng, and where he had been, glances, smiles, and whispers were rife.