And outside the black storm made the darkness fall early. And inside
the half-burnt logs tumbled together, causing a cloud of golden
sparks, and then the flames leapt up again and crackled in the grate.




CHAPTER VII


At dinner that night the lady came in after Paul was seated. She was
all in black velvet, stately and dignified and fine. She passed his
chair and took her seat, not the faintest sign of recognition on her
face. And although he was prepared for this, for some reason his
heart sank for a moment. Her demeanour was the same as on the first
night he had seen her, hardly raising her eyes, eating little of the
most exquisite food, and appearing totally unconscious of her
neighbours or their ways.

She caused a flutter of excitement at the English table, the only
other party, except two old men in a corner, who had dined so late,
and they were half-way through their repast before she began
hers. Paul was annoyed to see how they stared--stared at _his_
lady. But what joy it was to sit there and realise that she was
his--his very own! And only four nights ago he had been a rude
stranger, too, criticising her every movement, and drinking too much
port with annoyance over it all. And now his whole life was changed.
He saw with new eyes, and heard with new ears, even his casual
observation was altered and sharpened, so that he noticed the texture