Now if Theodora had been a free unmarried girl, or a freer widow, it is highly probable fate would not have arranged this long afternoon in blissful surroundings undisturbed by any one. As it was, who knows if the goddess settled it with a smile on her lip or a tear in her eye? It was settled, at all events, and looked as if it were going to contain some moments worth remembering. IX "And what is your pleasure, fair queen?" Hector said, as they listened to the diminishing noise of the widow's Mercedes. "We are alone, and we have the world before us. Issue your commands." "No," said Theodora, and she pouted her red lips. "I want you to settle that. I want you to arrange for whatever you think would give me the greatest pleasure. Then I shall know if you understand me and guess what I would like." This was the most daring speech she had ever made, and she was surprised at her own temerity. "Very well," he said. "That means you belong to me until they return," and a thrill ran through him. "Has not your father, has not your hostess, given you into my charge? And, now you yourself have sealed the compact, we shall see if I can make you happy." As he said the words "you belong to me," Theodora thrilled too--a sensation as of an electric shock almost quivered through her. Belonged to him--ah!--what would that mean? He called his chauffeur, who started the automobile and drove under the covered _porte cochere_ where they stood. Lord Bracondale had not spoken all the time he was helping her in and arranging rugs with the tenderest solicitude, but when they were settled and started--it was a coupe with a great deal of glass about it, so that they got plenty of air--he turned to her. "Now, do you know what I am going to do with you, madame? I shall only unfold my plans bit by bit, and watch your face to see if I have chosen well. I am going to take you first to the Petit Trianon, and we are going to walk leisurely through the rooms. I am not going to worry you with much sight-seeing and tourists and lessons of history, but I want you to glance at this setting of the life picture of poor Marie Antoinette, because it is full of sentiment and it will make you appreciate more the _hameau_ and her playground afterwards. Something tells me you would rather see these things than all the fine pictures and salons of the stiff chateau." "Oh yes," said Theodora; "you have guessed well this time." "Then here we are, almost arrived," he said, presently. They had been going very fast, and could see the square, white house in front of them, and when they alighted at the gates she found the guardian was an old friend of Lord Bracondale's, and they were left free to wander alone in the rooms between the batches of tourists. But every one knows the Petit Trianon, and can surmise how its beauties appealed to Theodora.