"But your face is very beautiful to me," said Hetty, looking at me with a great glow of love beaming over hers. "It is full of strength, and I think you have such a sweet expression, Rose, and you look so dignified. Sometimes I think you are grand." "Oh, hush, hush, you foolish child!" I said. "Well, but do fasten that little pink bow at your throat, and do puff up your hair a little, to show your nice forehead. Now isn't that a great improvement?" She made me kneel by her while she tried to manipulate my heavy, thick, straight hair. My private opinion is that I never looked more uncouth, but Hetty was pleased, so where was the use of worrying her? I heard a carriage stop in the street below, and flew to the window to look out. "They arrive," I said, "my foes arrive! Now I go forth to conquer! Farewell, Hetty." "Oh, I shall be so excited to know what is going to happen!" called Hetty after me. I blew a kiss to her and ran down-stairs. I had arranged with Mrs Ashton to give me the use of a private sitting-room for the all-important interview. It was a truly dingy apartment--a back parlour in every sense of that odious-sounding word. It was here I had for the first time the pleasure of seeing Lady Ursula Redmayne without any rose-coloured glamour thrown over her. Unsupported by the background which her luxurious boudoir in Grosvenor Street afforded, she looked what she was, a most ordinary young woman. Ordinary--yes,--I made up my mind on the spot that Lady Ursula was not at all good-looking. But she was something else. She appeared better, far better in my eyes. At that moment she looked what she was, an every-day, happy, healthy English girl. Yes, a happy girl, and her happiness took all her little affectations away. "Oh, here you are, my benefactress?" she said, rushing up and kissing me. "May I introduce Captain Valentine? I don't think I did it properly yesterday. Now, Rupert, let's sit one at each side of her, and tell her everything, and get her to tell us everything." I was very much astonished, and I showed my astonishment in my face. "Would you not rather speak to Miss Lindley alone, Ursula?" said Captain Valentine. "I can go out for a walk, or to--to buy something--I might return in a quarter of an hour." "No, Rupert, you will sit on that chair, just there, please, and listen." Captain Valentine sat down at the imperious bidding of Lady Ursula's voice. I was sure he must have a sensitive nature, he got red so often. His whole face was scarlet now.