“Now, Fay, decide,” said Usk. “If you make up your mind to stick to me, it’s natural for me to be with you when you receive the Grand-Duke, and to explain to him that we are engaged. If you tell me you don’t want me to be there, I shall know you are giving me up.”
“Do tell!” cried Maimie. “Who asked you to make conditions, Lord Usk? Send him off right away, Fay.”
“You said you cared for me,” urged Usk. Félicia wavered.
“Félicia Steinherz, if you give in now I’m done with you,” said Maimie, and Félicia unhooked Usk’s ring from her bangle, and threw it at him.
“I just hate you both!” she cried; “but I’ve concluded which to choose.”
CHAPTER XIII.
MALA SORTE.
“Is that you, Usk? Come in. Why, what’s gone wrong?”
“Félicia and I have broken it off. I thought you’d be glad to know.”
“I am interested to hear it. You broke it off, I hope?”
“I suppose you would say it was done by mutual consent,” said Usk drearily. “I told her to choose between the King and me, and she chose him.”