His voice was low and tender, though he strove to give it a conventional touch and merely friendly tone. "Thank you, yes," said Nell gratefully. "How good of you to think of me! How magnificently you played! I can't tell you how happy your success has made me! And such a success! I was as proud as if it were I who was playing; and I was prouder still when I saw how quietly you took it. Ah, you felt that it was just your due. I suppose genius always takes the crowd's applause calmly." His face flushed, and his dark eyes glowed. "There is some applause I, at any rate--who am no genius, however--cannot take calmly," he said. "I would rather have those words of approval from you than the shouting and clapping of a multitude. Yes, it made me happy; but I am happier now than words can express." If Nell had looked up into the eyes bent on hers, she must have read his secret in them; but the band had begun to play, and at that moment Drake was leading Lady Luce to her place for the cotillon, and Nell's eyes were drawn, riveted to the fair face, the blue eyes shining triumphantly; and she forgot not only Falconer's presence, but his existence. As he saw that she did not heed him, the color died out from his face, and the light from his eyes, and, with a sigh, he left her and went back to his place in the orchestra. The dance proceeded through all its graceful and intricate evolutions, and even to the spectators in the gallery it was evident that Lady Luce had stepped into the position of the belle of the ball. The excitement of hope and fear, the gratification of vanity which sprang from her consciousness that she was occupying the most prominent place as the earl's partner, had given to her face the touch of warmth it needed to make its beauty well-nigh perfect. Her lips were parted with a smile, the blue eyes--ordinarily a trifle cold--were glowing, and the diamonds sparkled fiercely on her heaving bosom. Nell could not remove her eyes from her, but sat like a bird held by the fascination of the serpent. She was blind to all else but those two--the man she loved, the woman to whom she had surrendered him. The time passed unheeded by her, and Falconer's voice sounded miles away as he bent over her. "Dick has sent up to say that we can go," he said. "There's no fear of the lights now; indeed, the ball is nearly over. This is the last dance." Nell rose stiffly and wearily. "I--I am glad," she said. "You are tired, very tired," he said. "Will you let me give you my arm?" He felt her hand tremble as she put it on his arm, and he looked down at her anxiously. "I wish I had taken you out of this before," he said remorsefully. "I have spoken to you--asked you--once or twice; but--but you did not seem to hear me. It is my fault. I ought to have insisted upon your going." "No, no!" said Nell. "It is nothing. I am a little tired, and----Is it late?" "Yes," he said. "Most of the people are leaving. It has been a great success. Is this the way?"