“I see that I must not keep you. I shall not be offended if you leave us at once. If I had known——”
Now here was Jack’s opportunity. Why did he not seize it and go?
“Thanks,” he said; “although I won’t dance I’ll stay a little while if you’ll permit me.”
Lady Bell bowed.
“Thank you,” she said, almost humbly, as if he had granted her a great favor, as it seemed to Una.
At this moment the great—or little—duke came up with a smile.
“Am I fortunate enough to find you free for this, Lady Earlsley?”
Lady Bell looked at her card, carefully keeping it out of his reach, and shook her head.
“I’m so sorry! My partner will be here directly, I expect.”
The duke bowed, expressed his regret, and moved off, not without a glance at Jack, who stood calm and possessed; and Una knew, notwithstanding all her ignorance, that Lady Bell was not engaged, but had refused the duke that she might keep Jack by her side; and with this knowledge the demon jealousy sprang into life, and made himself fully known.