Lady Bell rose, her face pale, her eyes gleaming under the strain which she was enduring.
"Don't say any more," she said; "I--I cannot bear it. You have guessed my secret; I can feel that. Yes, I would save him if I could, and if you are sure that--that there is no engagement----"
"There is none," said Stephen, lying smoothly. "There can be none; the idea is preposterous."
Lady Bell moved away as he spoke, and turned over some book on the table to conceal her agitation, and Stephen, humming a popular hymn tune, crossed the room and looked down at Jack and Una with a benedictory smile, as if he was blessing them.
"Are you aware of the time, and that Lady Bell's hall porter is uttering maledictions for our tardiness?" he said, playfully.
"By Jove! No idea it was so late. Are you ready, Mrs. Davenant?"
Mrs. Davenant woke from a sleep, and she and Una went upstairs.
"I see you have a new maid," she said, when they came down again. "What a superior-looking young girl."
"Is she not?" said Lady Bell, absently. "She is more than superior, she is interesting. She has a history."
Stephen, standing by, folding and unfolding his opera hat, smiled.
"Very interesting; but take care, Lady Bell; I am always suspicious of interesting people with a history."
As he spoke, a pale, dark face looked down upon him from the upper landing for a moment, then disappeared.
"You will come with us, Stephen?" said Mrs. Davenant, nervously.
"No, thanks. I should like the walk. Good-night," and he kissed her dutifully, and shook hands with Jack and Lady Bell.
"Going to walk?" cried Mrs. Davenant. "It is very chilly, and you've only that thin overcoat."
"I've a scarf somewhere--where is it?" said Stephen.
Una stooped, and picked up a white scarf.
"Here it is," she said, laughing, and all innocently she threw it round his neck.
"Will you tie it, please?" said Stephen, in an ordinary tone, and Una, laughing still, tied it.
Stephen stood motionless, his eyes cast down; he was afraid to raise them lest the passion blazing in them should be read by all there.
"Thanks. I cannot catch cold now," he said, as he took her hand and held it for a moment.
He put them into the brougham, and under the pretext of arranging her shawl, touched her hand once again; then he stood in the chilly street and watched the brougham till it disappeared in the distance.