"None, Dolores. Manuel has gone for flowers - he likes them best. You maygo."

"But the señora's toilette is not finished; the sandals, the gloves, thegarland yet remain."

"Leave them all; I shall not go down. I am tired of this endless folly.Give me that book and go."

The pretty Creole obeyed; and careless of Dolores' work, Pauline sankinto the deep chair with a listless mien, turned the pages for a little,then lost herself in thoughts that seemed to bring no rest.

Silently the young husband entered and, pausing, regarded his wife withmingled pain and pleasure - pain to see her so spiritless, pleasure tosee her so fair. She seemed unconscious of his presence till thefragrance of his floral burden betrayed him, and looking up to smile awelcome she met a glance that changed the sad dreamer into an excitedactor, for it told her that the object of her search was found.Springing erect, she asked eagerly, "Manuel, is he here?"

"Yes."

"Alone?"

"His wife is with him."

"Is she beautiful?"

"Pretty, petite, and petulant."

"And he?"

"Unchanged: the same imposing figure and treacherous face, the samerestless eye and satanic mouth. Pauline, let me insult him!"

"Not yet. Were they together?"

"Yes. He seemed anxious to leave her, but she called him backimperiously, and he came like one who dared not disobey."

"Did he see you?"

"The crowd was too dense, and I kept in the shadow."

"The wife's name? Did you learn it?"

"Barbara St. Just."

"Ah! I knew her once and will again. Manuel, am I beautiful tonight?"

"How can you be otherwise to me?"

"That is not enough. I must look my fairest to others, brilliant andblithe, a happy-hearted bride whose honeymoon is not yet over."

"For his sake, Pauline?"

"For yours. I want him to envy you your youth, your comeliness, yourcontent; to see the man he once sneered at the husband of the woman heonce loved; to recall impotent regret. I know his nature, and can stirhim to his heart's core with a look, revenge myself with a word, andread the secrets of his life with a skill he cannot fathom."

"And when you have done all this, shall you be happier, Pauline?"

"Infinitely; our three weeks' search is ended, and the real interest ofthe plot begins. I have played the lover for your sake, now play the manof the world for mine. This is the moment we have waited for. Help me tomake it successful. Come! Crown me with your garland, give me thebracelets that were your wedding gift - none can be too brilliant fortonight. Now the gloves and fan. Stay, my sandals - you shall playDolores and tie them on."

With an air of smiling coquetry he had never seen before, Paulinestretched out a truly Spanish foot and offered him its dainty covering.Won by the animation of her manner, Manuel forgot his misgivings andplayed his part with boyish spirit, hovering about his stately wife asno assiduous maid had ever done; for every flower was fastened with aword sweeter than itself, the white arms kissed as the ornaments wenton, and when the silken knots were deftly accomplished, the lightheartedbridegroom performed a little dance of triumph about his idol, till shearrested him, beckoning as she spoke.

"Manuel, I am waiting to assume the last best ornament you have givenme, my handsome husband." Then, as he came to her laughing with frankpleasure at her praise, she added, "You, too, must look your best andbravest now, and remember you must enact the man tonight. Before Gilbertwear your stateliest aspect, your tenderest to me, your courtliest tohis wife. You possess dramatic skill. Use it for my sake, and come foryour reward when this night's work is done."

The great hotel was swarming with life, ablaze with light, resonant withthe tread of feet, the hum of voices, the musical din of the band, andfull of the sights and sounds which fill such human hives at afashionable watering place in the height of the season. As Manuel ledhis wife along the grand hall thronged with promenaders, his quick earcaught the whispered comments of the passers-by, and the fragmentaryrumors concerning themselves amused him infinitely.

Manuel looked down at Pauline with a mirthful glance, but she had notheard.

"See, Belle! Cubans; own half the island between them. Splendid, aren'tthey? Look at the diamonds on her lovely arms, and his ravishingmoustache. Isn't he your ideal of Prince Djalma, in The Wandering Jew?"

A pretty girl, forgetting propriety in interest, pointed as they passed.Manuel half-bowed to the audible compliment, and the blushing damselvanished, but Pauline had not seen.

"Jack, there's the owner of the black span you fell into raptures over.My lord and lady look as highbred as their stud. We'll patronize them!"

Pauline heard now. Manuel felt her start, saw her flush and pale, thenher eye lit, and the dark expression he dreaded to see settled on herface as she whispered, like a satanic echo, "Let us also go and look atthis unfortunate."

A jealous pang smote the young man's heart as he recalled the past.

"You pity him, Pauline, and pity is akin to love."

"I only pity what I respect. Rest content, my husband."

Steadily her eyes met his, and the hand whose only ornament was awedding ring went to meet the one folded on his arm with a confidinggesture that made the action a caress.

"I will try to be, yet mine is a hard part," Manuel answered with asigh, then silently they both paced on.

Gilbert Redmond lounged behind his wife's chair, looking intenselybored.

"Have you had enough of this folly, Babie?"

"No, we have but just come. Let us dance."

"Too late; they have begun."

"Then go about with me. It's very tiresome sitting here."

"It is too warm to walk in all that crowd, child."

"You are so indolent! Tell me who people are as they pass. I know no onehere."

"Nor I."

But his act belied the words, for as they passed his lips he rose erect,with a smothered exclamation and startled face, as if a ghost hadsuddenly confronted him. The throng had thinned, and as his wifefollowed the direction of his glance, she saw no uncanny apparition tocause such evident dismay, but a woman fair-haired, violet-eyed,blooming and serene, sweeping down the long hall with noiseless grace.An air of sumptuous life pervaded her, the shimmer of bridal snowsurrounded her, bridal gifts shone on neck and arms, and bridalhappiness seemed to touch her with its tender charm as she looked up ather companion, as if there were but one human being in the world to her.This companion, a man slender and tall, with a face delicately dark as afine bronze, looked back at her with eyes as eloquent as her own, whileboth spoke rapidly and low in the melodious language which seems madefor lover's lips.

"Gilbert, who are they?"

There was no answer, and before she could repeat the question theapproaching pair paused before her, and the beautiful woman offered herhand, saying, with inquiring smiles, "Barbara, have you forgotten yourearly friend, Pauline?"

Recognition came with the familiar name, and Mrs. Redmond welcomed thenewcomer with a delight as unrestrained as if she were still theschoolgirl, Babie. Then, recovering herself, she said, with a prettyattempt at dignity, "Let me present my husband. Gilbert, come andwelcome my friend Pauline Valary."

Scarlet with shame, dumb with conflicting emotions, and utterly desertedby self-possession, Redmond stood with downcast eyes and agitated mien,suffering a year's remorse condensed into a moment. A mute gesture wasall the greeting he could offer. Pauline slightly bent her haughty headas she answered, in a voice frostily sweet, "Your wife mistakes. PaulineValary died three weeks ago, and Pauline Laroche rose from her ashes.Manuel, my schoolmate, Mrs. Redmond; Gilbert you already know."

With the manly presence he could easily assume and which was henceforthto be his role in public, Manuel bowed courteously to the lady, coldlyto the gentleman, and looked only at his wife. Mrs. Redmond, thoughchildish, was observant; she glanced from face to face, divined amystery, and spoke out at once.

"Then you have met before? Gilbert, you have never told me this."

"It was long ago - in Cuba. I believed they had forgotten me."

"I never forget." And Pauline's eye turned on him with a look he darednot meet.

Unsilenced by her husband's frown, Mrs. Redmond, intent on pleasingherself, drew her friend to the seat beside her as she said petulantly,"Gilbert tells me nothing, and I am constantly discovering things whichmight have given me pleasure had he only chosen to be frank. I've spokenof you often, yet he never betrayed the least knowledge of you, and Itake it very ill of him, because I am sure he has not forgotten you. Sithere, Pauline, and let me tease you with questions, as I used to do solong ago. You were always patient with me, and though far morebeautiful, your face is still the same kind one that comforted thelittle child at school. Gilbert, enjoy your friend, and leave us toourselves until the dance is over."

Pauline obeyed; but as she chatted, skillfully leading the young wife'sconversation to her own affairs, she listened to the two voices behindher, watched the two figures reflected in the mirror before her, andfelt a secret pride in Manuel's address, for it was evident that theformer positions were renewed.

The timid boy who had feared the sarcastic tongue of his guardian'sguest, and shrunk from his presence to conceal the jealousy that was hisjest, now stood beside his formal rival, serene and self-possessed, byfar the manliest man of the two, for no shame daunted him, no fearoppressed him, no dishonorable deed left him at the mercy of another'stongue.

Gilbert Redmond felt this keenly, and cursed the falsehood which hadplaced him in such an unenviable position. It was vain to assume the oldsuperiority that was forfeited; but too much a man of the world to belong discomforted by any contretemps like this, he rapidly regained hishabitual ease of manner, and avoiding the perilous past clung to thesafer present, hoping, by some unguarded look or word, to fathom thepurpose of his adversary, for such he knew the husband of Pauline mustbe at heart. But Manuel schooled his features, curbed his tongue, andwhen his hot blood tempted him to point his smooth speech with a taunt,or offer a silent insult with the eye, he remembered Pauline, lookeddown on the graceful head below, and forgot all other passions in thatof love.

"Gilbert, my shawl. The sea air chills me."

"I forgot it, Babie."

"Allow me to supply the want."

Mindful of his wife's commands, Manuel seized this opportunity to win aglance of commendation from her. And taking the downy mantle that hungupon his arm, he wrapped the frail girl in it with a care that made theact as cordial as courteous. Mrs. Redmond felt the charm of his mannerwith the quickness of a woman, and sent a reproachful glance at Gilbertas she said plaintively, "Ah! It is evident that my honeymoon is over,and the assiduous lover replaced by the negligent husband. Enjoy yourmidsummer night's dream while you may, Pauline, and be ready for theawakening that must come."

"Not to her, madame, for our honeymoon shall last till the goldenwedding day comes round. Shall it not, cariña?"

"There is no sign of waning yet, Manuel," and Pauline looked up into herhusband's face with a genuine affection which made her own morebeautiful and filled his with a visible content. Gilbert read theglance, and in that instant suffered the first pang of regret thatPauline had foretold. He spoke abruptly, longing to be away.

"Babie, we may dance now, if you will."

"I am going, but not with you - so give me my fan, and entertain Paulinetill my return."

He unclosed his hand, but the delicately carved fan fell at his feet ina shower of ivory shreds - he had crushed it as he watched his first lovewith the bitter thought "It might have been!"

"Forgive me, Babie, it was too frail for use; you should choose astronger."

"I will next time, and a gentler hand to hold it. Now, Monsieur Laroche,I am ready."

Mrs. Redmond rose in a small bustle of satisfaction, shook out herflounces, glanced at the mirror, then Manuel led her away; and the otherpair were left alone. Both felt a secret agitation quicken their breathand thrill along their nerves, but the woman concealed it best.Gilbert's eye wandered restlessly to and fro, while Pauline fixed herown on his as quietly as if he were the statue in the niche behind him.For a moment he tried to seem unconscious of it, then essayed to meetand conquer it, but failed signally and, driven to his last resources bythat steady gaze, resolved to speak out and have all over before hiswife's return. Assuming the seat beside her, he said, impetuously,"Pauline, take off your mask as I do mine - we are alone now, and may seeeach other as we are."

Leaning deep into the crimson curve of the couch, with the indolentgrace habitual to her, yet in strong contrast to the vigilant gleam ofher eye, she swept her hand across her face as if obeying him, yet nochange followed, as she said with a cold smile, "It is off; what next?"

"Let me understand you. Did my letter reach your hands?"

"A week before my marriage."

He drew a long breath of relief, yet a frown gathered as he asked, likeone loath and eager to be satisfied, "Your love died a natural death,then, and its murder does not lie at my door?"

Pointing to the shattered toy upon the ground, she only echoed his ownwords. "It was too frail for use - I chose a stronger."

It wounded, as she meant it should; and the evil spirit to whoseguidance she had yielded herself exulted to see his self-love bleed, andpride vainly struggle to conceal the stab. He caught the expression inher averted glance, bent suddenly a fixed and scrutinizing gaze uponher, asking, below his breath, "Then why are you here to tempt me withthe face that tempted me a year ago?"

"I came to see the woman to whom you sold yourself. I have seen her, andam satisfied."

Such quiet contempt iced her tones, such pitiless satisfaction shonethrough the long lashes that swept slowly down, after her eye had metand caused his own to fall again, that Gilbert's cheek burned as if thewords had been a blow, and mingled shame and anger trembled in hisvoice.

"Ah, you are quick to read our secret, for you possess the key. Have youno fear that I may read your own, and tell the world you sold yourbeauty for a name and fortune? Your bargain is a better one than mine,but I know you too well, though your fetters are diamonds and yourmaster a fond boy."

She had been prepared for this, and knew she had a shield in the realregard she bore her husband, for though sisterly, it was sincere. Shefelt its value now, for it gave her courage to confront the spirit ofretaliation she had roused, and calmness to answer the whispered tauntwith an unruffled mien, as lifting her white arm she let its singledecoration drop glittering to her lap.

"You see my 'fetters' are as loose as they are light, and nothing bindsme but my will. Read my heart, if you can. You will find there contemptfor a love so poor that it feared poverty; pity for a man who dared notface the world and conquer it, as a girl had done before him, andgratitude that I have found my 'master' in a truehearted boy, not afalsehearted man. If I am a slave, I never know it. Can you say asmuch?"

Her woman's tongue avenged her, and Gilbert owned his defeat. Painquenched the ire of his glance, remorse subdued his pride, self-condemnation compelled him to ask, imploringly, "Pauline, when may Ihope for pardon?"

"Never."

The stern utterance of the word dismayed him, and, like one shut outfrom hope, he rose, as if to leave her, but paused irresolutely, lookedback, then sank down again, as if constrained against his will by alonging past control. If she had doubted her power this action set thedoubt at rest, as the haughtiest nature she had known confessed it by abittersweet complaint. Eyeing her wistfully, tenderly, Gilbert murmured,in the voice of long ago, "Why do I stay to wound and to be wounded bythe hand that once caressed me? Why do I find more pleasure in yourcontempt than in another woman's praise, and feel myself transportedinto the delights of that irrecoverable past, now grown the sweetest,saddest memory of my life? Send me away, Pauline, before the old charmasserts its power, and I forget that I am not the happy lover of a yearago."

"Leave me then, Gilbert. Good night."

Half unconsciously, the former softness stole into her voice as itlingered on his name. The familiar gesture accompanied the words, theold charm did assert itself, and for an instant changed the cold womaninto the ardent girl again. Gilbert did not go but, with a hasty glancedown the deserted hall behind him, captured and kissed the hand he hadlost, passionately whispering, "Pauline, I love you still, and that lookassures me that you have forgiven, forgotten, and kept a place for me inthat deep heart of yours. It is too late to deny it. I have seen thetender eyes again, and the sight has made me the proudest, happiest manthat walks the world tonight, slave though I am."

Over cheek and forehead rushed the treacherous blood as the violet eyesfilled and fell before his own, and in the glow of mingled pain and fearthat stirred her blood, Pauline, for the first time, owned the peril ofthe task she had set herself, saw the dangerous power she possessed, andfelt the buried passion faintly moving in its grave. Indignant at herown weakness, she took refuge in the memory of her wrong, controlled therebel color, steeled the front she showed him, and with feminine skillmutely conveyed the rebuke she would not trust herself to utter, bystripping the glove from the hand he had touched and dropping itdisdainfully as if unworthy of its place. Gilbert had not looked forsuch an answer, and while it baffled him it excited his man's spirit torebel against her silent denial. With a bitter laugh he snatched up theglove.

"I read a defiance in your eye as you flung this down. I accept thechallenge, and will keep gage until I prove myself the victor. I haveasked for pardon. You refuse it. I have confessed my love. You scorn it.I have possessed myself of your secret, yet you deny it. Now we will tryour strength together, and leave those children to their play."

"We are the children, and we play with edge tools. There has been enoughof this, there must be no more." Pauline rose with her haughtiest mien,and the brief command, "Take me to Manuel."

Silently Gilbert offered his arm, and silently she rejected it.

"Will you accept nothing from me?"

"Nothing."

Side by side they passed through the returning throng till Mrs. Redmondjoined them, looking blithe and bland with the exhilaration of gallantryand motion. Manuel's first glance was at Pauline, his second at hercompanion; there was a shadow upon the face of each, which seemedinstantly to fall upon his own as he claimed his wife with a masterfulsatisfaction as novel as becoming, and which prompted her to whisper,"You enact your role to the life, and shall enjoy a foretaste of yourreward at once. I want excitement; let us show these graceless, frozenpeople the true art of dancing, and electrify them with the life andfire of a Cuban valse."

Manuel kindled at once, and Pauline smiled stealthily as she glancedover her shoulder from the threshold of the dancing hall, for herslightest act, look, and word had their part to play in that night'sdrama.

"Gilbert, if you are tired I will go now."

"Thank you, I begin to find it interesting. Let us watch the dancers."

Mrs. Redmond accepted the tardy favor, wondering at his unwontedanimation, for never had she seen such eagerness in his countenance,such energy in his manner as he pressed through the crowd and won aplace where they could freely witness one of those exhibitions offashionable figurante which are nightly to be seen at such resorts. Manycouples were whirling around the white hall, but among them one paircircled with slowly increasing speed, in perfect time to the inspiringmelody of trumpet, flute, and horn, that seemed to sound for them alone.Many paused to watch them, for they gave to the graceful pastime theenchantment which few have skill enough to lend it, and made it aspectacle of life-enjoying youth, to be remembered long after the musicceased and the agile feet were still.

Gilbert's arm was about his little wife to shield her from the pressureof the crowd, and as they stood his hold unconsciously tightened, till,marveling at this unwonted care, she looked up to thank him with a happyglance and discovered that his eye rested on a single pair, kindling asthey approached, keenly scanning every gesture as they floated by,following them with untiring vigilance through the many-colored mazesthey threaded with such winged steps, while his breath quickened, hishand kept time, and every sense seemed to own the intoxication of thescene. Sorrowfully she too watched this pair, saw their grace, admiredtheir beauty, envied their happiness; for, short as her wedded life hadbeen, the thorns already pierced her through the roses, and with eachairy revolution of those figures, dark and bright, her discontentincreased, her wonder deepened, her scrutiny grew keener, for she knewno common interest held her husband there, fascinated, flushed, andexcited as if his heart beat responsive to the rhythmic rise and fall ofthat booted foot and satin slipper. The music ended with a crash, thecrowd surged across the floor, and the spell was broken. Like one buthalf disenchanted, Gilbert stood a moment, then remembered his wife, andlooking down met brown eyes, full of tears, fastened on his face.

"Tired so soon, Babie? Or in a pet because I cannot change myself into athistledown and float about with you, like Manuel and Pauline?"

"Neither; I was only wishing that you loved me as he loves her, andhoping he would never tire of her, they are so fond and charming now.How long have you known them - and where?"

"I shall have no peace until I tell you. I passed a single summer withthem in a tropical paradise, where we swung half the day in hammocks,under tamarind and almond trees; danced half the night to music, ofwhich this seems but a faint echo; and led a life of luxurious delightin an enchanted climate, where all is so beautiful and brilliant thatits memory haunts a life as pressed flowers sweeten the leaves of a dullbook."

"Why did you leave it then?"

"To marry you, child."

"That was a regretful sigh, as if I were not worth the sacrifice. Let usgo back and enjoy it together."

"If you were dying for it, I would not take you to Cuba. It would bepurgatory, not paradise, now."

"How stern you look, how strangely you speak. Would you not go to saveyour own life, Gilbert?"

"I would not cross the room to do that, much less the sea."

"Why do you both love and dread it? Don't frown, but tell me. I have aright to know."

"Because the bitterest blunder of my life was committed there - a blunderthat I never can repair in this world, and may be damned for in thenext. Rest satisfied with this, Babie, lest you prove like Bluebeard'swife, and make another skeleton in my closet, which has enough already."

Strange regret was in his voice, strange gloom fell upon his face; butthough rendered doubly curious by the change, Mrs. Redmond dared notquestion further and, standing silent, furtively scanned the troubledcountenance beside her. Gilbert spoke first, waking out of his sorrowfulreverie with a start.

"Pauline is coming. Say adieu, not au revoir, for tomorrow we must leavethis place."

His words were a command, his aspect one of stern resolve, though theintensest longing mingled with the dark look he cast on the approachingpair. The tone, the glance displeased his willful wife, who loved to useher power and exact obedience where she had failed to win affection,often ruling imperiously when a tender word would have made her happy tosubmit.

"Gilbert, you take no thought for my pleasures though you pursue yourown at my expense. Your neglect forces me to find solace andsatisfaction where I can, and you have forfeited your right to commandor complain. I love Pauline, I am happy with her, therefore I shall stayuntil we tire of one another. I am a burden to you; go if you will."

"You know I cannot without you, Babie. I ask it as a favor. For my sake,for your own, I implore you to come away."

"Gilbert, do you love her?"

She seized his arm and forced an answer by the energy of her sharplywhispered question. He saw that it was vain to dissemble, yet repliedwith averted head, "I did and still remember it."

"And she? Did she return your love?"

"I believed so; but she forgot me when I went. She married Manuel and ishappy. Babie, let me go!"

"No! you shall stay and feel a little of the pain I feel when I lookinto your heart and find I have no place there. It is this which hasstood between us and made all my efforts vain. I see it now and despiseyou for the falsehood you have shown me, vowing you loved no one but meuntil I married you, then letting me so soon discover that I was only anencumbrance to your enjoyment of the fortune I possessed. You treat melike a child, but I suffer like a woman, and you shall share mysuffering, because you might have spared me, and you did not. Gilbert,you shall stay."

"Be it so, but remember I have warned you."

An exultant expression broke through the gloom of her husband's face ashe answered with the grim satisfaction of one who gave restraint to themind, and stood ready to follow whatever impulse should sway him next.His wife trembled inwardly at what she had done, but was too proud torecall her words and felt a certain bitter pleasure in the excitement ofthe new position she had taken, the new interest given to her listlesslife.

Pauline and Manuel found them standing silently together, for a momenthad done the work of years and raised a barrier between them never to beswept away.

Mrs. Redmond spoke first, and with an air half resentful, halftriumphant:

"Pauline, this morose husband of mine says we must leave tomorrow. Butin some things I rule; this is one of them. Therefore we remain and gowith you to the mountains when we are tired of the gay life here. Sosmile and submit, Gilbert, else these friends will count your society nofavor. Would you not fancy, from the aspect he thinks proper to assume,that I had sentenced him to a punishment, not a pleasure?"

"Perhaps you have unwittingly, Babie. Marriage is said to cancel thefollies of the past, but not those of the future, I believe; and, asthere are many temptations to an idle man in a place like this,doubtless your husband is wise enough to own that he dares not stay butfinds discretion the better part of valor."

Nothing could be softer than the tone in which these words were uttered,nothing sharper than the hidden taunt conveyed, but Gilbert only laugheda scornful laugh as he fixed his keen eyes full upon her and took herbouquet with the air of one assuming former rights.

"My dear Pauline, discretion is the last virtue I should expect to beaccused of by you; but if valor consists in daring all things, I may layclaim to it without its 'better part,' for temptation is my delight - thestronger the better. Have no fears for me, my friend. I gladly acceptBabie's decree and, ignoring the last ten years, intend to begin lifeanew, having discovered a sauce piquante which will give the stalestpleasures a redoubled zest. I am unfortunate tonight, and here is asecond wreck; this I can rebuild happily. Allow me to do so, for Iremember you once praised my skill in floral architecture."

With an air of eager gallantry in strange contrast to the malignexpression of his countenance, Gilbert knelt to regather the flowerswhich a careless gesture of his own had scattered from their jeweledholder. His wife turned to speak to Manuel, and, yielding to theunconquerable anxiety his reckless manner awoke, Pauline whispered belowher breath as she bent as if to watch the work, "Gilbert, follow yourfirst impulse, and go tomorrow."

"Nothing shall induce me to."

"I warn you harm will come of it." "Let it come; I am past fear now."

"Shun me for Babie's sake, if not for your own."

"Too late for that; she is headstrong - let her suffer."

"Have you no power, Gilbert?"

"None over her, much over you."

"We will prove that!"

"We will!" Rapidly as words could shape them, these questions andanswers fell, and with their utterance the last generous feeling died inPauline's breast; for as she received the flowers, now changed from alove token to a battle gage, she saw the torn glove still crushed inGilbert's hand, and silently accepted his challenge to the tournament sooften held between man and woman - a tournament where the keen tongue isthe lance, pride the shield, passion the fiery steed, and the hardestheart the winner of the prize, which seldom fails to prove a barrenhonor, ending in remorse.