"I should have but one answer, Dominica." He touched his sword-hilt. "I do not think the gay Chevalier would return to France." CHAPTER XII It seemed an age before the house was quiet, and all lights put out. Dominica sent her sleepy tirewoman away as soon as she came up from the ball. The woman made little resistance, she could hardly keep her eyes open, and was glad to be sent back to bed. Dominica let her unlace her gown, and put away her jewels. She put on a loose wrapper, and laid another log on the fire. As ill-luck would have it her aunt came in to bid her good-night, and stayed to talk over the ball. She professed herself thankful that the affair was over; it had been very dull, she thought, and the Chevalier de Guise was the only relief she had had from utter boredom. Dominica, very much on her guard, stifled a yawn, and allowed the Chevalier to be well enough. "Do not lose your heart to him, my dear," remarked her aunt lazily. "Frenchmen are sadly fickle, and I believe this one is betrothed already." "Yes, so he said," Dominica answered. An imp of malice prompted her to add:--"So my cousin need not be jealous of him, señora." "Diego is too much in love with you to forbear jealousy of any man who looks twice at you," said Doña Beatrice, a hint of cynicism in her voice. "Or is he in love with my money?" asked Dominica sweetly. "Very much, my dear. We all are." Nothing, it seemed, could disturb Doña Beatrice's composure. She got up out of her chair, and tapped her niece's cheek. "No more of this seclusion, child. You will show yourself abroad a little, and remember that we shall soon leave this tiresome town for a little quiet and peace." Dominica's eyes were cast down, but the breath was stayed in her throat. "Very well, señora," she said submissively. "But do we leave Madrid indeed?" "Shortly, my dear. We shall go north to Vasconosa as soon as may be, and we will hope that Diego in the country will like you better than Diego in town." Dominica dropped a curtsy. "I don't think it, señora." "No? But you can try to, my dear." Doña Beatrice went out with her slow tread, and a minute later a door shut in the distance. Dominica sat down by the fire to wait. Presently she heard her aunt's tirewoman pass by her door to the stairs that led to the servants' quarters above. Don Rodriguez, coming up from downstairs, called a good-night to his son, and went into his room. But Don Diego must needs go into his closet, and stay there for what seemed an interminable time to his impatient cousin. At length he came out, and went across the hall to his bedchamber. Dominica heard him speak sharply to his man, and shut the door with a snap. There was silence for a while, and then the same door opened and shut again: his servant had put Don Diego to bed at last.