Jack went and stood beside the silent, motionless figure and looked down at her with infinite yearning and infinite sorrow. He had come resolved to tell her the truth and to bid her to forget him. "Una," he said, in a low voice. She raised her eyes, and in an instant his grand resolution, built up with such care for the last two days, crumbled into dust. With something like a groan he was on his knee and caught her to his breast. For a moment she resigned herself to the exquisite joy of his embrace, and with downcast eyes drooped beneath his passionate kisses, then with an effort she regained possession of the soul which had slipped from her into his, as it were, and gently disengaged herself. "No, no, you frighten me!" she murmured, as Jack's arm drew her toward him again. "My darling! There!" and he kissed her hands. "How can I do it? It is too much to ask of mortal man." "Do what?" she murmured. Jack's face paled. "Nothing--nothing," he said. "And are you really going to stay?" she murmured, her eyes beaming with pleasure. "Yes," he said, "I came on purpose. If she had not asked me I meant to ask her." "And you love her, don't you? Is she not good--and isn't it cruel to deceive her," said Una, and she hung her head. "She's the dearest old lady in the world," said Jack, enthusiastically, who would have loved a gorilla, much less Mrs. Davenant, if it had been kind to Una. "Why, she was a second mother to me until Stephen grew up--and she has been kind to you. I can see that for myself. But you must tell me all about it--all about everything tonight. Think, my darling! we shall be together here all the evening! No noisy crowd to prevent us talking--no interference. I shall want to know everything. Hush! here she comes," and with another swift kiss he rose and went into the next room. Una stole out and upstairs to dress. Quite unsuspicious, Mrs. Davenant came back smiling. She had ordered one or two of Jack's favorite dishes, and had come to ask him about the claret. "There is some of the Chateau la Rose, Jack. Would you like to have it warmed a little?" she asked, anxiously. "Let them put a bottle in the kitchen somewhere," said Jack. "It will get right there by dinner time. Eight o'clock you dine, I know. I'll just run home and dress, and be back punctually to the minute." "It will be the first time in your life then," said Mrs. Davenant. For the first time in his life then Jack was punctual. At five minutes to eight a hansom dashed up to the door, and Jack, in evening dress, with his light overcoat, strode up the steps and into the drawing-room.