By this the travelling party had got opposite, and were passing on. Poorly mounted all, on horses very different from those they would have been riding around Ruardean. But the sorriness of their nags made no difference as regarded the looks of the ladies. Dignity as theirs was not dependent on extraneous trifles, and for their beauty the very contrast, with the excitement of the situation, but rendered it the more piquant and conspicuous. The cheeks of both flushed burning red as they came opposite the group of officers. No wonder, with so many eyes bent in bold gaze upon them. They heard words, too, offensive to female ears. "It's a pity, Vag," said Sabrina, in an undertone, "we didn't think of putting on our masks." "Oh! I don't care," rejoined the younger sister, with a jaunty toss of the head. "They may look their owlish eyes out--it matters not to me." Just then her own eyes encountered another pair, which brought a change over her countenance--Reginald Trevor's. He was gazing at her with an intensity of expression that ill bore out the indifference he pretended when parting with her at the Lalandes' ball. A frown it was now, equally affected, as she knew. And just because of knowing this she did not return it; instead, gave him a look half-kind, half-pitying. If a little coquettish, she was not cruel; and she felt repentful, remembering how on that night she had misled him. At the same time there was a crossing of eyes between her sister and another officer close by Sabrina saw the man who had so impudently ogled her at Hollymead, knowing him to be Colonel Lunsford. In a similar manner was he acting now, only to get from her a glance of contemptuous scorn, which would have rebuked any other than a brazen Cavalier. He did quail under it a little, feeling in his heart that if he ever received favour from that lady it would have to be a forced one. "Who are they?" interrogated the Prince, after they had passed, still following them with his eyes. "You appear to know them. Colonel?" It was Lunsford to whom he addressed himself, observing the look of recognition with which the latter was regarding them. "Those ladies? Is it they your Royal Highness deigns to inquire about?" And he pointed to the party which had so interested all. "_Ya_! Or only one of them, if you like--she with the golden locks. I care not to know the other." Reginald Trevor had overheard this with a singular revulsion of feeling. Bitter as it was to him to see Vaga Powell depart, it would now have been worse, the thought of her remaining in Bristol. Angry he was with her, but not so spiteful nor wicked, as to wish her a fate like that. Well knew he what danger there was to any woman whose beauty tempted Rupert. Diametrically opposite were the feelings of Lunsford as he listened to the Prince's declared preference. He had feared it was for the elder sister, which would spoil his own chances should such ever come. Relieved, he made answer,--