“‘Excuse me, but I must ask you to release this lady from her promise to dance with you.’
“The count’s eyes flashed fire, and his face grew crimson, as he answered, coldly:
“‘I cannot do so, my lord, except at the lady’s own request.’
“‘She does request it through me—by my desire,’ replied Lord Dunforth, sternly.
“‘Miss Douglas, do you command me to release you?’ asked the count, turning to me with that same disagreeable smile upon his lips that I had seen there when he had written his name against the waltz.
“‘Tell him yes, Meta. I cannot allow it, and will give you my reasons the first opportunity,’ whispered my lover, in pleading tones, in my ear.
“I was on the point of yielding. Oh, why was I so blind that I did not? I had half withdrawn my hand from the count’s arm, when I heard a low, mocking laugh near by.
“Glancing up, I saw Helen Capel watching every motion, catching every word and tone, a smile of mocking triumph on her handsome face.
“In an instant I remembered my boast to her, that ‘Lord Dunforth would permit me to dance with whomsoever I chose,’ and in that fatal moment I resolved to show her my power over him; that I had a will of my own.
“Lifting my head a trifle haughtily, I said: