The Knave of Diamonds

the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window. Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall belo

s coign of vantage, and upon this they e

le below his breath. "I fee

sill and gazed downwards. "A refugee from boredo

at once. "It is only the

plied, without turning, "of

tch the light upon her

om. "That is why I have engag

id, "I'm glad yo

mpatience. "Isn't it rather fut

" he

ite well it was not

manque de mieux?"

not going to contradict you," she said, "I never foster am

, and we all think we are going to lick creation till a pretty woman comes along and makes us dance to her piping like a row of painted marionettes. But is the pretty w

ce. His chin was propped upon his hands. He was obviously studying her

t embarrassing her. She met

ynicism," she t

ulders. "Cynics-rea

am not

u sure

quite

e to flatter the inferior male. That's conflicting

ught. "I'm not prepared to answer

e commented. "Do you kno

n't have

believe you just now when you said you were twenty-five. Now I do

e truth," she said

ld like to be. But a woman of twenty-five ought not to look like a princess of e

inly are not the sort of genius you aspire to be," s

llo! Here is someone coming! Don't speak, and p'r

dy. Certainly footsteps were approaching, but they ceased before they reac

ark, isn't it, but rather a relief after the glare downstairs. What a crush it is! I am

Major Shirley in response. "I can't stand these Amer

did dancer," protested

n thunder they find to attract them. I call him a downright cad myself, and I'm inclined to think him a blackguar

ing man. Such a pi

the County are coming to. They will accept anybody nowadays, it seems to me. I even met that little bounder

"I wonder where he is. I haven't seen him for so

with his latest conquest. He won't turn up again this evening.

the woman. "I thought it was Mrs. Damer. But I

for a change, but no one for long,' is his motto. The fellow is an infernal bounder through and

him! Anyone would think he ha

r," growled

the darkness of the alcove, as

sked the woman's

. I shall clear out soon. I'm tired of this show. Haven't had a decent dance all the evening. Should

onaire in the neighbourhood it really might be done. The Carfa

o-night. He is sitting in a corner of the refreshment-room now absolutely incapable. He r

young wife of his! I can't think how she e

can't stand these martyrs. If she leads a dog's life

t help herself,"

f refinement. Not much, I dare say. She was nothing but his bailiff's daughter, you know, and people of that class don't generally suffer from an exaggerated sense of duty. She probably sticks to the man because she wants to k

origin, that queenliness of hers is not assumed. I believe her to be intensely

runted the Major. "She always makes me think of one; pale and pure an

sted Mrs. Randal charitably. "Sai

ed. He was alre

than enough to frighten me away. A woman who can't understan

way down the corridor. Her voice receded as they went. "But I can't

wax-candle sort of women never see a joke. What fools they are to le

stairs. It is rather foolish as you

. Infernally dangerou

he ballroom struck up again, and the woman on the

go down no

ming out of a reverie. "Our gallant Major Shirley seems s

" Her words fell

ther day. Someone introduced us. It was great fun. If there were a little more light, I would show you what he l

ilight. "Yes," she said, and though still quiet her v

you something f

vidently waiting fo

w it for your present edification and future guidance. Madam, I am that wicke

intest anxiety as to how she would receive it. There was even a certain careless hauteur

ent. "I knew it," she said quietly. "I

to speak to such a dang

idable," she answered. "Moreover, if yo

ith my habitual confounded audacity. Shall I te

l you something, though it is more than possible tha

d-or is it my third?-confession. I did not take you for Mrs. Damer in the card-room a little while ago. I took you for no one but yourself. No man of ordinary intelligence could do otherwise. But I

e you told m

are a woman who app

do not often hear it as

, Lady Carfax, let me go and kick that old s

ustn't," she said, laughing faintly. "The fault was ours. Yo

ce. "He doesn't deserve to have a whole bone left in his body for

ltogether sorry that you were with me when it happened. It is just as well that you s

th you first. Have you decided to pass over that lie

ot cut you

the coldest of nods, which is even more dam

I treat you in the future, that lie of yours will in no way influence me? You have helped me much more than you

friends?" sai

ery unlikely that we shall meet a

ll either on my m

afraid

"But I fancy we shall meet again notwithstanding. So

press her appreciation of it would not be denied. She extended her hand with an assumptio

e and touched them with his lips. "Farewell