"Would you be willing for a moment to lose that exquisite beauty?"
"For my sake, Honoria," said Dalton, "refuse him."
The request, so simply made, was rewarded by a ravishing smile.
"Edward, do you know that you have not spoken a kind word to me to-night, until now?"
Their eyes met, and I saw that Dalton trembled with a deep emotion. "I will save you yet," he murmured.
A tall, black hound, of the slender breed, rose up near Honoria, and, placing his fore-paws upon the edge of the pearl table, turned and licked her face and eyes.
It was the vision of a moment. The dog sprang upon the sofa by the Duke's side, growling and snapping.
"Rêve de Noir," cried Lethal and Adonaïs, "drive the dog away!"
The valet had disappeared.
"I have no fear of him, gentlemen," said the Duke, patting the head of the hound; "he is a faithful servant, and has a faculty of reading thoughts. Go bring my servant, Demon," said the Duke.