She shrank
into it as if she would make herself as small as possible. Again no one
accosted them though a good many looked in their direction. Saltash was
far too well known a figure to pass unnoticed in any fashionable crowd.
But the general attention did not centre upon them. That was absorbed by
a far greater attraction that night.
She sat at the end of the room like a queen holding her court, and beside
her sat the Viking, stern-faced and remote of mien, as supremely isolated
as though he sat with her on a desert island. He spoke but seldom, and
then to her exclusively. But when he spoke, she turned to him the radiant
face of the woman who holds within her grasp her heart's desire.
She was superbly dressed in many-shaded blue, and jewels sparkled with
every breath she drew. Above her forehead, there nestled in the gold of
her hair a single splendid diamond that burned like a multi-coloured
flame. She was at the acme of her triumph that night. Of all who knew
her, there was not one who had seen her thus. They watched her almost
with bated breath. She was like a being from another world. She
transcended every expectation of her.
The band played only dance-music, by her desire, it was said; but such
music as wrought irresistibly upon the senses and emotions.
Pages:
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383