“You must leave on Saturday, then?” he
said, after :• p mse
It was lolly to prolong ins pain, and yet
the words fell from his lips, as It were, ■un
bidden.
“Yes,’’ said Valeric, quietly, looking at
the board as if study lug the positions. “We
have to go on to Lord .Morion's.”
“Ami how 1 mg do you stay there?”
“Till Thursday; then the t 'ollingwood’s
until the following Friday.”
It was Beauregard’s move. lie made it
in silence and at random. Valerie was
thinking how differently would next Sat
lirday evening lie passed by her than any
thing her companion supposed. There
was to be a ball, 100, on the Monday even
ing, and anew ball dress had been ordered
from London, bill Valerie would not wear
It She did not feel now as if she should
ever v isli to wear a ball dress again.
"And alter the Collingwoods?” asked
Beauregard present ly
“Oh,” she answered, carelessly, “I don't
know what aunt I'oiistanee's plans are.”
Max glanced at her keenly,and thought
of Aston Lawford’s letter. Valerie had
read il was debal ing wliel her sin- should
aeeept the oifer it made, or maybe intend
ed to accept il Ii was this that troubled
her Ibis Hint made her ignorant of I lie
fill ore beyond a week or two; or if not ig
norant, reticent. The soldier set Ids teeth.
.She made of marriage u mere game of
sliulileiioek, lei love say what it would,
if he Max Beauregard would not low
rr his colors to her, she would not wear
the willow Why should she?
The game went on. Max gaining surely
on his opponent, till by and by she glanced
up.
