"To the power behind the throne," he countered. The seething wine whipped their spirits. Between parted lips, their teeth gleamed like crescent moons. "Oh, Alexis, you don't know what to-night has meant to me. Your success was as intoxicating as a personal triumph." "It was one, wasn't it? Since I owe every bit of it to you?" His eyes were full of worship. "Don't say that. The power was within yourself. I merely set it in motion again. I fully believe it would have returned to you eventually." "I'm not so sure of that. I was pretty nearly done for, when you retrieved me. How can I ever thank you enough?" He got up from the table, and running around to her side, threw his arms about her shoulders. She tossed back her head and their lips met. "Don't think of that now," she murmured, as he dropped to his knees beside her. Conscious of the pathetic weariness in her voice, an icy band tightened about his heart. He must be more careful, or he would lose her entirely. Ah, how clumsy he had been! What a fool to let her slip through his fingers in that mad fashion. Like a woman who fears to lose her lover, he must exert all his charm, every vestige of personality he possessed in order to retain her. The band tightening about his heart, he smiled up at her with pathetic blandishment. "You are so beautiful to-night in your gown of palest green," he whispered. "Like Venus rising from the waves. I adore you more every minute." She laughed softly in her throat. "You are an incorrigible baby, Alexis. Come, get up and eat a little more supper, or Regina will be disappointed." "I will, if I can put my chair next to yours." "Of course, foolish one!" She watched with a tender, rather tired little smile, while he moved his chair from across the table. "Tell me, were you frightened to-night?" He laughed happily. "Not for a moment. It seemed as if I had the confidence of a thousand devils!" "That is more than I can say for myself. I had an awful attack of stage-fright. My knees rattled beneath me!" "You do care, don't you?" His voice was exultant. "Very much more than you will ever guess, Alexis!" "Darling!" He squeezed her hand ecstatically. "When you play at the Philharmonic on Friday I'll not be afraid at all." He looked at her tenderly. "Why should you be if I'm not, sweetheart? You mustn't make yourself ill over me. You've heard me play the Brahm's Concerto many times, and you know that it is mine, or rather that I am its!" They laughed at his comical way of putting it.