"Mephistopheles!" was the calm retort. Then, as if to turn the subject, he continued lightly: "It is a fair scene, and a fabulous one."
Undine began to have a slight suspicion as to whom her companion might be, and was far from comfortable in her mind. The hit at the river might have been only a chance one; but this was doubtful, if Mephistopheles turned out to be either Mortimer Shelton or Jasper Vermont, as she half feared.
She strove to conceal her uneasiness.
"The best should be happy and satisfied to-night," she said; "it is a great success."
"Yes, happy!" agreed the demon, nodding his horned head, "but not satisfied. That will never be till he sees the marriage of his beloved son----" He stopped short.
"With Lady Constance Tremaine," finished Lady Merivale, in a low voice, from which all attempt at disguise had gone.
Mephistopheles nodded again.
"You have guessed aright, my lady," he said. "See! there they are together. A handsome pair; an admirable match. Yet it is sad to think----" He stopped again.
"What?" cried Lady Merivale, grasping his scarlet-clad arm in a fierce grip.
"It will never be!"