"Not all, Vaura; we all pay society's tolls, for we live to enter the arena, but we are not all masked."
"You will be glad to see your old friend again, uncle?" she said questioningly, anxious to know how the man she loved would be welcomed.
"Yes and no, dear; his hand-clasp will strengthen, me but not you. Trevalyon's hand enclosing woman's is weakening to them, and he has been much with you; were it not for this scandal—."
"Which by mid-night," she said quickly, "the nightbirds will have, by the flutter of their wings, blown into the right current, and from poor Lionel."
"So, so, Vaura, you speak warmly; it is as I feared; he has made you care for him."
"He has."
"I am sorry for you, Vaura, and glad for him; peerless, as you, are, a man should woo you with spotless breastplate; but I love Trevalyon, and if he can in any way clear himself, but I fear he cannot," he said gravely.
"'All's well that ends well,' dear uncle; he will clear himself."
"After dinner, you say?"
"Yes, but no preparations; he wishes to come in with the three unbidden guests unnoticed."