"Are you angry?"
Her whole being stirred in response. She uttered a little quivering laugh that was near akin to tears.
"No—of course—no! But I—I think I ought to go and dress! It's getting late, isn't it? Thank you for giving me tea!" She rose, her movements quick and dainty as the flight of a robin. "Good-bye!" she murmured shyly.
He rose also with a sweeping bow. "A bientôt,—Daphne!" he said.
She gave him a single swift glance from under fluttering lashes, and turned away in silence.
She went up the stairs with the speed of a bird on the wing, but she could not outpace the wonder and the wild delight at her heart. As she entered her own room at length, she laughed, a breathless, rippling laugh. How amazing—and how gorgeous—was this new life!
CHAPTER XII
THE WINE OF THE GODS
The rink was ablaze with fairy-lights under the starry sky. Rose de Vigne, exquisitely fair in ruby velvet and ermine furs paused on the verandah, looking pensively forth.
Very beautiful she looked standing there, and Captain Brent of the Sappers striding forth with his skates jingling in his hand stopped as one compelled.