At a glance from Elmur, Sagan motioned his wife forward.
'I will lead you to your apartments, sire,' she said, offering the Duke her slender hand. 'I am sure that the air of Sagan is as loyal as ourselves, and will do for you all that we should wish it to do.'
For answer the Duke shook his head feebly; and, calling Colendorp to his side, passed up the long hall through a rustling silence.
CHAPTER X.
COUNT SIMON OF SAGAN.
Although secretly dismayed at the effect produced by her rash championship of Madame de Sagan, Valerie kept up a semblance of self-possession. Her clear colouring faded to extreme pallor, but her proud eyes showed no sign of shrinking from the curious glances cast upon her. She caught a trenchant aside from Sagan to Elmur:
'These cursed women will ruin us!'
And in answer to this even Elmur's flattery was mute. But Valerie stood haughty and erect, watching the Duke's suite file up the hall, Rallywood, as before, bringing up in the rear.
As he came in line with her he turned his head, and their glances met.