This woman was coolly robbing George of his rights and
was going instead to kill for him a miserable little
fatted calf! Bah! This woman, who had maligned her dead
mother!

She should have her punishment now. In one blow,
straight from the shoulder.

"But you should know, madam," she said gently, "who it is
your son has married before you take her home. I assure
you that you can present me to the society in Weir with
pride. I have royal blood----"
"Lisa!" George caught her arm. "It is not necessary.
You forget----"

"Oh, I forget nothing! I said royal blood. My father,
madam, was the brother of the Czar, and my mother was
Pauline Felix. You don't seem to understand----" after
a moment's pause. " It was my mother whose name you
said should not cross any decent woman's lips--my
mother----" She broke down into wild sobs.

"When I said it I did not know that you---- I am sorry."
Frances suddenly walked away, pulling open her collar.
It seemed to her that there was no breath in the world.
George followed her. "Did you know this?" she said at
last, in a hoarse whisper. "And you are--married to her?
There is no way of being rid of her?"

"No, there is no way," said Waldeaux stoutly. "And if