The duke bowed, expressed his regret, and moved off, not without a glance at Jack, who stood calm and possessed; and Una knew, notwithstanding all her ignorance, that Lady Bell was not engaged, but had refused the duke that she might keep Jack by her side; and with this knowledge the demon jealousy sprang into life, and made himself fully known. With an awful aching of the heart she sank into a seat and hid her face in her hands. What right had she there--she, the ignorant, untaught forest girl, among these grand people? Even supposing that he saw her he would not remember her, and if he did he would not care to waste a glance or a word on her, while such a beautiful creature as Lady Bell was willing to refuse a duke for his sake. Suddenly the brilliant scene seemed to grow dark and joyless; the music sounded harsh and out of tune; all the beauty had vanished, and she longed to be sitting in the depths of Warden Forest. "Your partner doesn't seem to turn up," said Jack. "He's an ungrateful idiot." Lady Bell laughed and sank down in a fauteuil just in front of the recess. "I forgive him," she said, and she swept her skirts aside to make room for him. Jack sat down, not gratefully, but quite courtly. Lady Bell was silent for a moment, then she said: "I would have sent a card for your friend, but I could not remember his name." "Oh, Len," said Jack, shaking his head. "I'm afraid he would not have come. He never goes out--at least not to this sort of thing. He's a book worm, and doesn't care for the gaieties. His name is Leonard Dagle." "He is a great friend of yours?" "The best that ever man had," said Jack, quietly; "more than a brother." "You live with him?" she said, with an interest only too palpable to the listening Una, whom Lady Bell had quite forgotten. "Yes, we live together--have done so for years--always shall, I hope, till----" He paused. "Till death, were you going to say?" said Lady Bell. "No, I wasn't," said Jack, simply. "I was going to say till I took his advice and--enlisted." "Enlisted!" she repeated, turning her beautiful face full upon him. Jack colored and frowned. "Yes," he said, stoutly; and though he said not a word more, Lady Bell knew that he was poor and in trouble. It was just the one thing wanted to finish the romance. He was poor and in trouble, while she was rich beyond the dreams of avarice. Why should she not say as she longed to do: "You want money. See, here am I who have more than I know what to do with; take some of it and make me happy!" Instead, she thought it only, and remained silent. "How hot it is," she said presently. "It is more than time to leave London. One longs for the green fields and the sea." "It is late," said Jack.