"Jealousy," said Starth, quickly, and sat down. "Of me and Miss Berry? Well, you needn't be. I don't love her." Starth pulled down the blind so as to prevent his discoloured eye showing up too badly. "I thought you were to marry her?" he remarked. "Certainly not. Such an idea never entered my head. Who said so?" "Captain Berry." Frank looked puzzled, then laughed. "I should have thought Berry more ambitious for his niece. I haven't any money." "That's just it," said Starth, slowly. "If you are poor, how did you come to give her those diamonds?" "I never did. I heard you gave them to her." Starth laughed, and glanced round the stuffy room. "Would I live in this dog's kennel if I could afford such stones?" he said. "My dear Lancaster, I'm desperately hard up. Between my sister and myself there is enough to live on, no more." "I saw your sister last night," said Frank. "Yes. She lives in Essex, but happened to be in town, so I got her a box. She went back this morning with Mrs. Perth." "Is that the lady who was with her?" Starth nodded. "She and my sister live together in a small cottage at Wargrove. But I needn't bore you with my family history. I want you to accept my apology." "I do, Starth. But why did you mention my parents?" "It was the only thing I could think of." "To make me angry, I suppose? H'm! You know nothing about me." "No. Is there anything interesting to know?" "I fear not," said Lancaster. "My story is a dull one. Still, I thought that Jarman might have said something." "He said nothing. I never asked about you," responded the other, quickly. "Fact is, Lancaster, I don't think you and I ever got on well together. My fault, I'm afraid, as I have such a bad temper. I am jealous, too, as I love Miss Berry and want to marry her." "You can, for all I care," said Lancaster, quietly. "I did admire her greatly, but I never had any intention of marrying her. As to the diamonds, who told you that I gave them to her?" "No one directly. But Berry hinted--" "Why should he hint?" said Frank, thoughtfully. "He knows I'm as poor as the proverbial church mouse. Do you think he wants me, or expects me, to marry his niece?" "Yes, I do," said Starth, promptly; "and that was why I grew jealous." "Then I can't see his reason. I have no money, no position, and no influence. Miss Berry doesn't love me--" "The Captain says she does," said Starth, quickly. "Oh, that's rubbish! She likes me because I write her songs, and we get on well together. As for love--" Frank shrugged his shoulders. "Have you never been in love, Lancaster?"