Jasper glanced at her from beneath his lowered lids--the sort of hungry
look one would imagine a starving wolf might cast at a lamb.

"Serious peril!" repeated Lady Constance.

"Of what kind?" asked Leroy, still with that faint smile on his lips,
and quite unmoved by Jasper's solemn face. Then, without waiting for an
answer, he continued scornfully: "Peril! My dear Jasper, what danger can
I be in? This is not the Middle Ages, and there are no assassins waiting
around, are there? However, let me take Con--Lady Constance back to the
ball-room again, and then I will enjoy, or at any rate listen to all you
have to tell me."

Jasper Vermont smiled bitterly, and took out his watch, which had been a
present from Leroy.

"Adrien," he said slowly, "you have ten minutes between you and
dishonour!"

Adrien turned round sharply, and half raised his arm as if to strike,
while such a stern look crossed his face that Lady Constance scarcely
recognised it as the same which, but a few minutes ago, had gazed on her
so lovingly.

"Adrien!" she cried, almost shuddering at the tense anger shining in his
eyes. "He must be mad!" She turned proudly on Jasper. "That is
sufficient, Mr. Vermont. Pray leave us at once. If this is a jest, I
consider it is in extremely bad taste."