In virtue of his good resolution to point out to Miss Fitzgerald the error of her ways, the Secretary had been nerving himself to an interview with her on this delicate question, and as result, when he found himself alone with Lieutenant Kingsland in the smoking-room after dinner that evening, both were silent. Each had something to think about, yet each was thinking about the same thing. The Secretary abstractedly wondering how he was to commence the awkward interview which was staring him in the face; while the young officer, relying on the axiom that "a woman never says what she means," was pondering over the best way in which to go to work upon his companion, in order to induce him to open his heart to the lady in question. "I say, Stanley," he remarked, "do you know Bob Darcy?" "Darcy? No, I don't think so." "Why, he's the chap whose wife chaperoned your little dinner that night at the Hyde Park Club, when Lady Rainsford failed you." "No, I don't know him. Do you?" "I--oh, very slightly--I assure you--never exchanged more than half a dozen words with him in my life." "I thought you seemed pretty well acquainted at Lady Rainsford's tea." "I"--faltered the young man--"I think you're mistaken." Stanley smiled quietly, as the nature of the conversation he had overheard came back to his mind--he was getting on. "I'm afraid," he remarked, "that your friend doesn't attract me. What did you wish to say about him?" "Only that he's awfully gone on Belle Fitzgerald, means business, and all that--lucky dog--I think he'll win hands down," and Lieutenant Kingsland heaved a sigh. "But he's married, surely?" "Oh, yes, I believe he is--but it hasn't been an unqualified success. I understand there's a divorce in the air, and after that--of course----" "He's treated his wife like a brute!" spluttered Stanley. "Don't know, I'm sure. He's a jolly good fellow at the club. Any way, he'd put a job with Belle to do the platonic under Mrs. Roberts' protecting roof for a week or two, when what does our hostess do but cut up rusty about his marital infelicities, and refuse to invite him. Rather a sell on the little Fitzgerald, eh?" "I'll be obliged to you if you'll mention Miss Fitzgerald more respectfully in my presence. She's a lady for whom I have the highest consideration, and who would, I'm sure, if she knew what I know of Colonel Darcy, cut him off from her list of acquaintances immediately. I hope you'll not feel called upon to speak of this more than is necessary," and he rose stiffly and left the room. Kingsland rolled over on the divan, on which he was sprawled out, and indulged in a fit of hearty laughter. "Gad! how he rose to the bait!" he roared. "I supposed Darcy was too old a story to tempt anyone with; but the world's after all a very small place." And this, curiously enough, was precisely the reflection which the Secretary made ruefully to himself, as he sought the captivating Belle.