Una looked at Mrs. Davenant inquiringly, and Lady Bell looked from one to the other impatiently. "Do not say 'No,' pray, Mrs. Davenant," she said, with her dark, bright eyes. "I have set my heart upon it, and a disappointment is intolerable. Besides, why should you say 'No?' You would like to come?" "Yes, I should like to come," said Una gravely. Lady Bell looked at her as if fascinated. "From a convent, certainly," she murmured. "Then it's settled. Remember! I shall look for you--shall wait for you with impatience. Mrs. Davenant, I count upon you." "But--but I cannot go out, Lady Earlsley--I am in mourning." Lady Bell sighed impatiently. "I am so sorry! I have never set my heart upon anything so much in my life," she said. "Something tells me that we shall be great friends! Are you fond of jewels, lace, books?--what are you specially fond of?" And she seemed to dazzle Una with her smile. "You shall see them all--everything. Yes, let her come, and I will take such care of her as if she were something too precious to be touched; she shall not leave my side all the evening. Let her come, Mrs. Davenant!" Mrs. Davenant paled and flushed in turn. What would Stephen say--would he be displeased or gratified? What should she do? She could not resist the half-imploring, half-commanding eyes which Lady Bell flashed upon her, and at last murmured a frightened "Yes." With a smile that seemed to set the diamonds scintillating, Lady Bell shook hands with Mrs. Davenant, and taking Una's, held it for a moment in silence, then, with a sudden gravity, she said: "Good-bye. I will take care of you. I will be your _chaperon_. We shall meet again," and was gone. So interested and absorbed had she been in Una that she had quite forgotten her purpose in entering the shop, and had gone without another word to the jeweler. He showed no surprise, however, but smiled complacently as he put the jewels back into their cases, being quite used to Lady Bell's vagaries, and he bowed Mrs. Davenant and Una out with increased respect and deference. Lady Bell, attended by the two footmen, entered her carriage, and Mrs. Fellowes, her friend and companion, who had been sleeping peacefully, awoke with a little start. "Well, my dear, have you got the rubies?" "The rubies?" said Lady Bell. "No, I quite forgot them." "Forgot them!" said Mrs. Fellowes. "Yes. What are stupid rubies compared with an angel?" "My dear Lady Bell!" exclaimed Mrs. Fellowes, "what are you talking about?" Lady Bell leaned back with her hands folded in her lap, and her eyes musingly staring at nothing. "Yes, an angel," she repeated. "I never believed in them until today, but I have seen one this morning--in a jeweler's shop." "Lady Bell, how strangely you talk. I am getting alarmed."