midnight
He had not intentionally deceived her , had not deliberately betrayed her trust ; he was the unwilling victim of an inexplicable fascination against which she felt assured he had struggled sullenly and persistently ; and which , in destroying the beautiful edifice of their mutual hopes , offered him nothing but humiliation in exchange . Standing to-day beside the pyramid of scarlet geraniums , and velvety , gold-powdered begonias in the centre of the octagonal room , where the warm Spring sun shone down through the dome , falling aslant on the great snowy owl and the rose-colored cockatoo smoothing their plumes on the top of the glittering brass cages -- Leo contrasted the luxurious and elegant details of her lovely home with the grim and bleak cell where , in shame and ignominy , dwelt the young stranger who had stolen her throne . A beggar by the road-side had filched from the queen in her palace , her crown and sceptre , and the pomp and splendor of royal surroundings only mocked and emphasized an empty sham . Merely a trifle paler than usual , and somewhat heavy-eyed from acquaintance with midnight vigils , she proudly bore her new burden of grief with her wonted easy grace ; but the pretty mouth was compressed into harder , narrower lines , and the delicate nose dilated in a haughtier curve . Sooner or later we all learn the wisdom of the unwelcome admonition : `` Fortune sells what we believe she gives . '' For two months Leo 's relations with Mr. Dunbar had been distinctly strained , and while both carefully avoided any verbal attempt at explanation , her manner had grown more distant , his more scrupulously courteous , but pre-occupied , guarded and cold . Knowing that abdication was inevitable , she slowly revolved the best method of release , which promised the least sacrifice of womanly dignity , and the greatest economy of unpleasantness on the part of her betrothed .