"And they are face to face once more."
CHAPTER XIX. — LOVERS ONCE.—STRANGERS NOW.—FACE TO FACE.
Ushered into a private room, the soulless Hardin's iron nerves fail him. His heart leaps up wildly when royal "Madame de Santos" approaches silently. Heavens! Her startling beauty is only mellowed with time. Another woman than the Hortense Duval of old stands before him. A goddess.
She has grown into her new r“le in life.
"Hortense!" he eagerly cries, approaching her.
"Spare me any further deceit, Philip," she coldly replies. Seating herself, she gazes at him with flaming eyes! She is a queen at bay!
He is startled. A declaration of war. No easy mastery now.
"Where is your charge?" Hardin queries.