The picture appears now to be genuine. The
likeness to Mrs. Denslow has vanished."
An exclamation of surprise from all present, except the Duke, followed
this announcement.
"And so," continued Dalton, "it may be with this ring, which now seems to
be the one I gave the Duke at Rome, but to-morrow may be different."
As he spoke, Dalton gave back the ring to the Duke, who received it with
his usual grace.
"Who knows," said Lethal, with a deceptive innocence of manner, "whether
aristocracy itself be not founded in mesmerical deceptions?"
"I think, Lethal," observed Adonais, "you push the matter. It would be
impossible, for instance, even for his Highness, to make Honoria Denslow
appear ugly."
We all looked at Honoria, to whom the Duke leaned over and said,--
"Would you be willing for a moment to lose that exquisite beauty?"
"For my sake, Honoria," said Dalton, "refuse him."
The request, so simply made, was rewarded by a ravishing smile.
"Edward, do you know that you have not spoken a kind word to me to-night,
until now?"
Their eyes met, and I saw that Dalton trembled with a deep emotion. "I
will save you yet," he murmured.
A tall, black hound, of the slender breed, rose up near Honoria, and,
placing his fore-paws upon the edge of the pearl table, turned and licked
her face and eyes.
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