"He is with your cousin on the west gallery. I will conduct you to them, if you wish it."
He offered his arm, and noticed the scowl that instantly darkened her face. Unconsciously her fingers grasped his arm tightly, and she walked on with a lowering brow. As they approached the end of the gallery Cornelia saw that the two she sought stood earnestly conversing. Eugene's arm passed round Antoinette's waist. Dr. Hartwell watched his companion closely; the light from the window gleamed over her face and showed it gray and rigid. Her white lips curled as she muttered:
"Let us take another turn before I speak to them."
"Surely you are not surprised?"
"Oh, no! I am not blind!"
"It was an unlucky chance that threw your cousin in his path," said the doctor composedly.
"Oh, it is merely another link in the chain of fatality which binds my family to misfortune. She has all the family traits of the Labords, and you know what they are," cried Cornelia.
He compressed his lips, and a lightning glance shot out from his eyes; but he stilled the rising tempest, and replied coldly:
"Why, then, did you not warn him?"
"Warn him! So I did. But I might as well grasp at the stars yonder as hope to influence him in this infatuation."