"I never saw it before in my life," he declared. "I do not wear a watch chain, and I don't possess anything of that sort." She threw it contemptuously away from her into the grate. "A woman lied to me about it," she said slowly. "I am ashamed of myself that I should have listened to her, even for a second. I chanced to look at it last night, and it suddenly occurred to me where I had seen it. It was on a man's watch-chain, but not on yours." "Surely," he said, "it belongs to Mr. Sabin?" She nodded and held out both her hands. "Will you forgive me?" she begged softly, "and--and--I think--I promised to send for you!" * * * * * They had been together for nearly an hour when the door opened abruptly, and the young man whom Wolfenden had seen with Helène in the barouche entered the room. He stared in amazement at her, and rudely at Wolfenden. Helène rose and turned to him with a smile. "Henri," she said, "let me present to you the English gentleman whom I am going to marry. Prince Henri of Ortrens--Lord Wolfenden." The young man barely returned Wolfenden's salute. He turned with flashing eyes to Helène and muttered a few hasty words in French-- "A kingdom and my betrothed in one day! It is too much! We will see!" He left the room hurriedly. Helène laughed. "He has gone to find the Duchess," she said, "and there will be a scene! Let us go out in the Park." They walked about under the trees; suddenly they came face to face with Mr. Sabin. He was looking a little worn, but he was as carefully dressed as usual, and he welcomed them with a smile and an utter absence of any embarrassment. "So soon!" he remarked pleasantly. "You Englishmen are as prompt in love as you are in war, Lord Wolfenden! It is an admirable trait." Helène laid her hand upon his arm. Yes, it was no fancy; his hair was greyer, and heavy lines furrowed his brow. "Uncle," she said, "believe me that I am sorry for you, though for myself--I am glad!" He looked at her kindly, yet with a faint contempt. "The Bourbon blood runs very slowly in your veins, child," he said. "After all I begin to doubt whether you would have made a queen! As for myself--well, I am resigned. I am going to Pau, to play golf!" "For how long, I wonder," she said smiling, "will you be able to content yourself there?" "For a month or two," he answered; "until I have lost the taste of defeat. Then I have plans--but never mind; I will tell you later on. You will all hear of me again! So far as you two are concerned at any rate," he added, "I have no need to reproach myself. My failure seems to have brought you happiness." He passed on, and they both watched his slim figure lost in the throng of passers-by. "He is a great man," she murmured. "He knows how to bear defeat." "He is a great man," Wolfenden answered; "but none the less I am not sorry to see the last of Mr. Sabin!" CHAPTER XL THE WAY TO PAU