"If you want me, dear," she said in a voice tense with emotion—"it must be now—soon! To wait—six months—I—that's im—"
The beautiful modulations of Helena Tankerville's voice interrupted.
Standing in one of the windows to the card-room, she said simply: "An exquisite night."
Then, coming out upon the terrace and seeing Venetia and Matthias, she moved toward them.
"Oh, there you are, Jack. You're wanted indoors."
Matthias, unable quickly to regain his poise, said nothing. Venetia answered for him, calmly:
"He can't come."
"What, dear?"
"I say, he can't come, Helena. He's engaged."
"Engaged!"