Beyond the Rocks

But Mrs. Devlyn made a reappearance just then, and as they spoke they

saw Josiah give her his arm and lead her away.

Thus Theodora was left standing alone with Lord Bracondale.

Fate seemed always to nullify her good intentions.

It was an exquisite waltz, and the music mounted to both their brains.

For one moment the room appeared to reel in front of her, and then she

found herself whirling in his arms. Oh, what bliss it was, after this

long week of separation! What folly and maddening bliss!

Her senses were tingling; her lithe, exquisite, willowy body thrilled

and quivered in his embrace. And they both realized what a waltz could

be, as a medium for joy.

"We will only have two turns until the crowd gets impossible again," he

whispered, "and then I will take you to supper."

Lady Anningford had been rejoined by the Crow, and now stood watching

them. She and her companion were silent for a moment, and then: "By Jove!" Colonel Lowerby said. "She is certainly worth going to hell

for, to look at even--and they don't appear as if they would take long

on the road."