Patty had arranged that she should sit next Van Reypen, and as Azalea took the place, she found Ray Gale on her other hand.

“’Smatter, Zaly?” he said, merrily, not thinking anything was really troubling her.

“Shell shock,” said Van Reypen, to save Azalea the necessity of replying.  “She’s had a hard day of it, and now she’s not to be bothered to talk, if she doesn’t want to.”

Azalea gave him a grateful look, and under the influence of his gentle kindliness, and mild raillery, she partly recovered her poise, and became almost like her own gay self again.

Much later in the evening, Van Reypen drew her away from the rest and led her to a secluded corner of the great piazza, where he had her alone.

“Now, my princess,—­my beloved,—­you are to tell me the answer to my plea.  Tell me, Azalea,—­may I take you to myself?  Will you be my very own?”

“I can’t say yes, Phil,” she replied, softly, the tears gathering in her brown eyes.  “I—­oh, I thought I could tell you the truth,—­but I can’t,—­I can’t!  I—­I love you too much!”

“You’ve answered me!” cried Van Reypen, his eyes shining with gladness, “if you love me,—­nothing else matters!  And you can’t love me ’too much’!  I want all there is of your love,—­your dear love!  Is it really mine?”

“It’s really yours, as far as it’s in my power to give it,—­but,” and Azalea’s face grew very sad, “I can’t give it to you,—­out of consideration of your rights.  I can’t love you, Philip, I mustn’t let myself even think of it!”

“Don’t talk nonsense, you blessed child,—­you’ve settled it all when you say you love me!  Oh, Azalea, I’m so glad, and proud and happy!”

Azalea gave a start as his arms closed round her.  “No!” she cried, “no, dear, don’t! oh, please don’t!”

“Why, darling?  Why mayn’t I caress my own love,—­my promised wife?”

“Oh, no,—­I’m not!  I can never be your wife!  I’m—­I’m not worthy!”

“Hush!” and Van Reypen closed her lips with a tender kiss.  “Hush, Azalea, never use the words worthy or unworthy between us.  Our love makes us worthy of each other, whatever we may be otherwise.”

“Stop,—­please stop!  Every word you say makes it harder!  I can’t stand it!  It’s too dreadful.  Let me go,—­oh, please, let me go!”

Shuddering as with some great fear, Azalea slipped from his arms and ran away.  He heard her steps as she went upstairs, and heard a door close,—­evidently she had flown to her own room.

Greatly perplexed, Phil went in search of Patty.

“Help me out,” he said, in a low tone.  “Azalea has gone to her room, and there is certainly something troubling her.  Go to her, Patty,—­find out what it all means,—­and if it is any foolishness about ‘unworthiness’ or that rubbish, try to make her see that I want her just as she is.  I don’t care a hang about her ancestors or her father or anything in the whole world, but just Azalea Thorpe!”