He was gay as a schoolboy, telling Billy who had not spoken a word to Zara the night before that now he should sit beside her, and that he was at liberty to make love to his new cousin! And Billy, aged nineteen--a perfectly stolid and amiable youth--proceeded to start a laborious conversation, while the rest of the table chaffed about things which were Greek to Zara, but she was grateful not to have to talk, and so passed off the difficulties of the situation. And the moment the meal was over Tristram took her back to Park Lane. He, too, was thankful the affair had been got through; he hardly spoke as they went along, and in silence followed her into the house and into the library, and there waited for her commands. Whenever they were alone the disguises of the part fell from Zara, and she resumed the icy mien. "Good-bye," she said coldly. "I am going into the country to-morrow for two or three days. I shall not see you until Monday. Have you anything more it is necessary to say?" "You are going into the country!" Tristram exclaimed, aghast. "But I will not--" and then he paused, for her eyes had flashed ominously. "I mean," he went on, "must you go? So soon before our wedding?" She drew herself up and spoke in a scathing voice. "Why must I repeat again what I said when you gave me your ring?--I do not wish to see or speak with you. You will have all you bargained for. Can you not leave my company out of the question?" The Tancred stern, obstinate spirit was thoroughly roused. He walked up and down the room rapidly for a moment, fuming with hurt rage. Then reason told him to wait. He had no intention of breaking off the match now, no matter what she should do; and this was Thursday; there were only five more days to get through, and when once she should be his wife--and then he looked at her, as she stood in her dark, perfect dress, with the great, sable wrap slipping from her shoulders and making a regal background, and her beauty fired his senses and made his eyes swim; and he bent forward and took her hand. "Very well, you beautiful, unkind thing," he said. "But if you do not want to marry me you had better say so at once, and I will release you from your promise. Because when the moment comes afterwards for our crossing of swords there will be no question as to who is to be master--I tell you that now." And Zara dragged her hand from him, and, with the black panther's glance in her eyes, she turned to the window and stood looking out. Then after a second she said in a strangled voice, "I wish that the marriage shall take place.--And now, please go." And without further words he went. CHAPTER XV