Why, why must this ghastly barrier be between them?
Was there nothing to be done?
Then he looked at his bride as they advanced to the table, and he saw that she was so deadly white that he thought she was going to faint.

For intoxication, affects people in different ways; for her, the kiss had seemed the sweetness of death.
"Give her ladyship some champagne immediately," he ordered the butler, and, still with shining eyes, he looked at her, and said gently, "for we must drink our own healths." But Zara never raised her lids, only he saw that her little nostrils were quivering, and by the rise and fall of her beautiful bosom he knew that her heart must be beating as madly as was his own--and a wild triumph filled him.

Whatever the emotion she was experiencing, whether it was anger, or disdain, or one he did not dare to hope for, it was a considerably strong one; she was, then, not so icily cold! How he wished there were some more ridiculous customs in his family! How he wished he might order the servants out of the room, and begin to make love to her all alone.

And just out of the devilment which was now in his blood he took the greatest pleasure in "playing the game," and while the solemn footmen's watchful eyes were upon them, he let himself go and was charming to her; and then, each instant they were alone he made himself freeze again, so that she could not say he was not keeping to the bargain.

Thus in wild excitement for them both the dinner passed.