"And now," he said, "will you have something to eat, and then come and see the _Albatross_? She's a nice little cutter, and you look as if you'd written too much poetry, and wanted sea air." "Not at all," said Sylvester, with a nervous laugh. "But I've something to tell you. Where can we find a quiet place?" "Up-stairs, come along. We had to have a place where poor Jackson could lie down. What's the matter? All right at home?--What's up, then?" Sylvester followed him up-stairs into the hotel sitting-room, and stood in the window, looking vaguely out at the street. "Lucy," he said, getting quite cold with the effort, "I don't know if you care to hear, but last night I met the Miss Haredales at a ball. Una spoke to me, and, from what she said, I now feel absolutely certain that your mother and I made a mistake. We saw Una Haredale with Major Fowler, and, for the rest, there was some trumpery mystery as to borrowing money for Lady Haredale. Amethyst was bound to secrecy, hence all that seemed suspicious." "Say that again," said Lucian, hoarsely. "It was really the other girl you saw in the conservatory with Fowler?" "Yes, no question of it." "Then, what a thundering fool you were to mistake them!" cried Lucian violently. "I was," said Sylvester, with dejection. "But I was not the only person, as you know. And I told you to trust her through thick and thin. I told you she was an angel of purity and innocence, no matter what I was fool enough to think I saw." "It was so, or it wasn't," said Lucian. "You saw her, _you_ questioned her," said Sylvester. "She denied it. Una told the truth, then, and you did not believe either of them! I don't excuse myself. I'd give my right hand not to have done her--and you--such a wrong." Lucian went over to the table and sat down. He trembled, and for some moments did not speak. At last he said-- "There's no one to blame but me. If I did not know her, who should? I thought I was right, and all the time I was wrong. There's only one thing to be done now, to go back and renew my offer at once and unconditionally, and to let every one know that I have done so." "If your feelings remain the same--" "My feelings? It's my duty." "But," said Sylvester, breathlessly, "if--if you no longer loved her.--I don't think--" "Love her? Why, you know I do. I always did," said Lucian. "Then, Lucy," said Sylvester, "I'm afraid that there's a good deal of disappointment in store for you. If she is not engaged to Grattan, she is on the point of it, and there are scores of other men after her. She has had a great success, and all London raves about her. I doubt her father's consent, and her pretensions are so great--" "I can't help that," said Lucian. "It is my place to let every one about her know that I wish to marry her, and that, if she refuses me, it is her own doing. I'll go up through the night, and see her to-morrow."