eyes there shone a steady gleam; but they were ever eyes that glowed, and
there were none who had ever come close enough to her to know her well,
and so there were none who read its meaning. Only Anne knew as no other
creature could, and looked on with secret terror and dismay. The world
but said that he was a man mad with love, and desperate at the knowledge
of the powerfulness of his rivals, could not live beyond sight of her.

They did not hear the words that passed between them at times when he
stood near her in some crowd, and dropped, as 'twas thought, words of
burning prayer and love into her ear. 'Twas said that it was like her to
listen with unchanging face, and when she deigned reply, to answer
without turning towards him. But such words and replies it had more than
once been Anne's ill-fortune to be near enough to catch, and hearing them
she had shuddered.

One night at a grand rout, the Duke of Osmonde but just having left the
reigning beauty's side, she heard the voice she hated close by her,
speaking.

"You think you can disdain me to the end," it said. "Your ladyship is
_sure_ so?"

She did not turn or answer, and there followed a low laugh.

"You think a man will lie beneath your feet and be trodden upon without
speaking. You are too high and bold."

She waved her painted fan, and gazed steadily before her at the crowd,
now and then bending her head in gracious greeting and smiling at some
passer-by.