“‘Miss Douglas, do you command me to release you?’ asked the count, turning to me with that same disagreeable smile upon his lips that I had seen there when he had written his name against the waltz. “‘Tell him yes, Meta. I cannot allow it, and will give you my reasons the first opportunity,’ whispered my lover, in pleading tones, in my ear. “I was on the point of yielding. Oh, why was I so blind that I did not? I had half withdrawn my hand from the count’s arm, when I heard a low, mocking laugh near by. “Glancing up, I saw Helen Capel watching every motion, catching every word and tone, a smile of mocking triumph on her handsome face. “In an instant I remembered my boast to her, that ‘Lord Dunforth would permit me to dance with whomsoever I chose,’ and in that fatal moment I resolved to show her my power over him; that I had a will of my own. “Lifting my head a trifle haughtily, I said: “‘My lord, I have promised Count de Lussan that I will waltz with him, and I cannot break my word.’ “‘Meta, Meta, don’t do it!’ he begged, in a whisper. “‘I must,’ I answered, coldly. “‘I command you not!’ he said, in a tone which the count caught, and curled his lip in scorn. “I bowed coldly, all the antagonism in my nature aroused by his command, then turning to my companion, I said: “‘The music is inspiriting, count. I am ready,’ and encircling my waist with his arm, he whirled me into the midst of the giddy dancers. “I had always loved to waltz; but, oh! how I have hated it since then. And this is the reason, dear, why I would never allow you to learn. It is not decent for young girls to be encircled in the arms of men of whom they know nothing. “As we waltzed I became aware of strange, surprised glances following us; whispered words of censure greeted my ears, and a tremor of uneasiness took possession of me, which merged into absolute terror when I reached the spot where Lord Dunforth still stood. “He was like a piece of statuary, his noble brow overcast, and his fine lips white and set as if in pain. “Count de Lussan released me, thanking me for the great pleasure I had given him, and then moved away. “My lover did not speak one word to me until the music struck up again, and the attention of the people around us was attracted in other directions. “‘Will you oblige me by withdrawing from the company?’ he asked then. “I arose at once and took his arm. “‘Oh, Roy, what have I done?’ I exclaimed, in deep distress at his coldness, my heart thrilling with a terrible pain. “‘You have disgraced yourself and me—the Count de Lussan is the lowest blackleg in London.’ “I lifted my eyes and searched my lover’s face after those, to me, words of doom. It was as inflexible as marble, not a gleam of love, kindness, or forgiveness. He was like a stern judge pronouncing sentence upon me, and the thought burst like lightning upon me, searing my very soul.