His frantic demonstrations of delight were watched by my wife and Ferrari with utter astonishment.

I observed their surprise, and said lightly: "I told you how it would be! It is nothing remarkable, I assure you.
All dogs treat me in the same way." And I laid my hand on the animal's neck with a commanding pressure; he lay down at once, only now and then raising his large wistful brown eyes to my face as though he wondered what had changed it so greatly.
But no disguise could deceive his intelligence--the faithful creature knew his master.

Meantime I thought Nina looked pale; certainly the little jeweled white hand nearest to me shook slightly.
"Are you afraid of this noble animal, madame ?" I asked, watching her closely.

She laughed, a little forcedly.
"Oh, no! But Wyvis is usually so shy with strangers, and I never saw him greet any one so rapturously except my late husband.

It is really very odd!" Ferrari, by his looks, agreed with her, and appeared to be uneasily considering the circumstance.
"Strange to say," he remarked, "Wyvis has for once forgotten me.