These bitter reflections rather tended to harden than soften her resolution. To-night she was an avenging angel, bent upon the task of making these insolent people atone for the insults heaped upon the lowly-born. Once in her triumphant progress she came near to Contraras, who was standing alone, surveying the brilliant scene with his keen, deep-set eyes. She disengaged herself from the arm of her companion, a handsome young man of some standing in Spanish Society. "Excuse me a moment. I see an old friend, to whom I must say a few words." "What do you think of it all?" she whispered, as she held out her hand. "What I have always thought of such spectacles as these," he whispered back. "These besotted creatures feast and dance and make merry, without a thought of their oppressed and toiling fellow-creatures." He spoke intensely, in the most bitter spirit of his gloomy fanaticism. She could not linger, "My nerves are in perfect order," she assured him as she turned away. He smiled kindly at her as she passed on. The amiable and innocent Duchess had performed the duties of chaperon so well, had introduced her to so many people, that it was a long time before Valerie could shake herself free. It was a very crowded assemblage. If she could once break away, she would be free to roam where she pleased. The moment came at last, close upon midnight. She was alone and mistress of her own movements. Her thoughts were no longer distracted by the idle chatter of some companion forced upon her. Slowly, she edged her way towards the Royal circle. Progress was a little difficult, but at last she stood within a few feet of the King and Queen. She stood for a few moments, perhaps summoning up her courage. Then her hand stole towards her pocket. Before she could reach it, a little cordon was formed round her, a cordon of six men in ordinary evening dress. The hand of one of the men gripped hers, and held it in a grasp of iron. "Come quietly, mademoiselle," whispered a voice in her ear. "We have followed you round all the evening, we fancied there was something suspicious about you. We may, of course, be mistaken, but in these troublous times we have to be very careful. We will take you to a private room, and have you searched. Of course, if nothing is found upon you, you will go free, and we will make you handsome amends." Valerie gave a little choking sob. The gipsy's prophesy had come true-- several years of hard life, a few years of good fortune, and then great tribulation. "I came here with the Duchess del Pineda," she said in a broken voice, hardly knowing what she was saying. "Do you dare to suspect--" It was the Head of the Police who held her wrist in that iron grasp. He spoke in a suave voice. "Mademoiselle, we always suspect in our profession. For the Duchess del Pineda I have the highest respect. Will you consent to come quietly? If we are in the wrong, you have nothing to fear."