"Are you prosaic? Oh, I cannot believe that." She laid a heavy hand on his reluctant arm. "You haven't those romantic brown eyes for nothing. Oh, must you be going?" He had edged gradually over to the door and stood with one hand placed upon the knob. "I'm afraid I must." "I am so sorry. I hope my idle chatter hasn't detained you from your duties?" Her bland, pussy-cat smile pursued him to the hospital. It haunted the remainder of his day, and later invaded his sleep. He dreamed that Claire was a canary and Mme. Petrovskey, in the form of a Cheshire cat, had devoured her. The smile was outlined with blood. CHAPTER XVIII DISCORD Above a livid line of snow the villa Sirena loomed brilliantly like some huge ocean liner, against the night. A shiver of excitement ran up Anne's spine. So they had arrived at last! "How large it looks," she said rather breathlessly. In spite of herself a slight tremor crept into her voice. Alexis turned towards her passionately. Under cover of the darkness his face was puzzled, triumphant. This new, virginal Anne, was at once mysterious and adorable. "It is rather deceptive at night," he replied quietly, ignoring her confusion. "Not really large at all, but I know it will please you because it's modeled exactly after the Florentine villas you love so much. Once inside, you scarcely dream you are only in Long Island." With a skillful twist of the wrist, he turned the car in at the gates and entered the driveway. "Of course I shall love it!" He took a hand off the wheel and laid it on hers. "Silly boy! Look out or you will run into the terrace." They had stopped in front of the doorway. Bathed in the golden rays from the entrance-hall, they stared at each other in startled silence. "Anne, Anne," Alexis' voice was broken. He started to put his arms about her. She pushed him away gently. "Be careful, Alexis. The servants are at the door. And don't forget I am your cousin, Mme. Simone." He got out of the car with a groan. "What a farce. I hate it, Anne." "Not any more than I do!" she accepted his aid. Her eyes hovered over his miserable face comprehendingly, as she swept past him up the shallow steps. "Madame est la bienvenue!" A broad smile upon his ruddy face, Jules bowed low. He took Anne's suitcase from Alexis with an air of tragedy. "Monsieur should 'ave call me! Shall I take the box of Madame to 'er room?" "If you please, Jules." Alexis' eyes were fixed upon Anne's face. "Do you like it?" She sat down upon a marble bench looking about her with genuine admiration. "It is beautiful, Alexis."