“The chief desires that you will partake of your breakfast, which is waiting; after which your request shall be attended to.”
She parted another set of curtains, and revealed beyond an elegant breakfast-room, in which a table was daintily spread for two.
Dora walked proudly within, without uttering a word in reply. Madam timidly followed, and they seated themselves, going through the ceremony of eating, being attentively waited on by the faithful girl.
When the repast was ended, Nina seized a tiny silver whistle that lay upon the table and blew it, and instantly a page entered and removed the service, followed by the girl.
Not many minutes elapsed, and Dora saw the drapery which hid the entrance move; then there was a sound, as of persons whispering.
She held her breath—she felt that the decisive moment had arrived.
A fair, white, shapely hand parted the curtains; a trim, finely formed foot was upon the threshold, and for an instant our heroine’s head grew dizzy, while a mist vailed her eyes; but with a mighty effort she conquered the faintness, and drew her queenly little form to its fullest height, and waited for the appearance of her dreaded visitor.
The drapery was swept entirely aside, and a cry of indignant surprise parted her lips as she fixed her eyes upon the figure before her.
CHAPTER XXV.
DEFIANCE.
Well might Dora Dupont cry out, for she recognized in the handsome face and form of the man who stood beneath that arched entrance, her rejected suitor and enemy, Ralph Moulton.