Was it because her soul instinctively became conscious of my presence
and nerved her for the ordeal, that she turned and smiled on me? The
Prince appeared for a moment crestfallen. Perhaps the scene lacked a
denouement. Oh, I was sure that implacable hate burned under that
smile of his, just as I knew that beneath the rise and fall of
Gretchen's bosom the steady fire of immutable love burned, burned as it
burned in my own heart. It was a defeat for the Prince, a triumph for
Gretchen and me. The greeting took but a moment. I stepped back,
strong and hopeful. She loved me. I knew that her heart was singing
the same joyous song as my own.
"Ah, here you are!" said a voice behind me, giving me an indescribable
start. "I have been looking high and low for you. You have forgotten
this dance."
It was Phyllis.
And then a sudden hush fell upon the circle. The two women stood face
to face, looking with strange wonder into each other's eyes.