"I will not," he rejoined, with prompt vehemence, "never--I swear it." A pause, and he reiterated his request. "Will you?" he pleaded, sinking his voice to a half-whisper. "I will see," she replied, "and now I really must return to auntie and carry her off to bed. I am trying to coax her to keep early hours, and she is as fractious as a little girl of six." Malcolm Haig having mentally consigned Madame to the bed of the Red Sea, reluctantly turned towards the Casino, and as they passed near some great trees he halted abruptly and said: "I think, if you don't mind, I'll say good-bye here." "Why?" she asked quickly. Then, as she glanced at him, she noticed in the moonlight that her companion's face was working with some strong emotion, and it dawned upon her for the first time that Captain Haig was in love with her, and struggling to say, with decent fortitude, farewell for ever. Miss Chandos was startled and not a little sorry, although her own heart was untouched. Auntie need not have been so pointedly careful to exclude Sir Horace's handsome nephew from all her select little parties. She hesitated for a moment, then murmured "Good-bye" as she held out her hand. For a second he held it fast; then, suddenly stooping, pressed his lips upon it, and the beautiful princess did not resist. Possibly she was accustomed to such homage! The following morning, before Captain Haig departed, a large square envelope was delivered to him. He opened it with a thumping pulse to discover (as he hoped) the portrait of his lady love. Certainly it was a beautiful face. The lips and eyes seemed almost to speak. Across one corner was inscribed, in a clear, fine hand, "Verona Chandos." Captain Haig was occasionally impulsive; he was stirred by impulse now, and seizing a sheet of the hotel paper he sat down immediately and scrawled:-- "DEAR MISS CHANDOS,-- "Thank you for your gracious gift, I prize it above everything I possess. I am, alas! but a humble soldier, and you are the Fairy Princess; should the princess ever need a champion to do battle for her, I pray that she may command till death, "MALCOLM HAIG." Malcolm Haig was already nearing Frankfort, with his cap drawn far over his eyes, and a curious sensation gripping his heart, when Verona received his note. She read it over twice--the first time quickly, the second with a pleased smile--and somewhat to her own surprise, crammed it away among her unanswered letters. CHAPTER V