Vronsky had not spoken since Miss Forester's entrance. He had a divided heart. He loved Felix, and he was assured of his happiness; but also he loved Nadia, and wanted to feel secure of hers. At the moment the steps of the other pair of lovers sounded in the veranda, and the Governor's daughter, in her white gown, her eyes full of light, pushed open the window and stepped inside, followed by Denzil. The Squire's brow was wet with the dews of apprehension. His heart was in his mouth. What kind of situation was this? He had played the traitor, and he stood confronted by the two girls--his old love and his new. Blindly he had followed Nadia to the house, unable to utter a word of warning, unable even to own to her that he had seen Felix. He had a confused idea that nothing that might now happen could be worse than the expression of his brother's eyes when lately they had met his own. And behold, that same brother stood just within the room with the mien of a conqueror, his head high, his glance confident, his mouth smiling. "Ah," said Nadia, drawing a long breath, "I told you that they had arrived--they must have arrived----" She came slowly forward. "It is delightful to meet again," said Felix, taking her two hands. "May I present to you my _fiancée_, Miss Leigh?" Denzil started visibly. It was upon his tongue to cry "No!" Even as the impulse arose it was smothered. In his dazed condition he yet took in one point, namely, that apparently the dilemma from which he shrank existed no longer. He was free to avow himself the suitor of the Russian girl. Was not this the summit of his desires? Nadia smiled rapturously. Snatching her hands from Felix, she held them impulsively to Rona. "Oh," said she, "I have wanted so long to see an English girl! And you are--you are--like the girls in story books, just as Mr. Vanston is exactly like the men!" "Why," cried Rona in astonishment, "how well you talk English!" Over the heads of the two girls the glance of the brothers met. There was no malice in Felix's steady gaze. He went to Denzil and took his hand. "It is long since we met," he said, kindly. "Am I to congratulate you, Denzil?" The Squire made an effort to speak, but no words came. He licked his dry lips. Was this some device of his younger brother to torture him? "Where is Aunt Bee?" he asked, that being the sole non-contentious remark that occurred to him at the moment. "Lying up, lame, at St. Petersburg," said Felix. "But you need not be anxious. I met Veronica at Gretz, and have taken care of her. She has not felt the journey at all." Denzil stammered, "That--that was good of you. I--er--feel that I was inconsiderate to suggest it. Of course, I did not contemplate her coming alone."