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Chance had favored Una in her escape; no sooner had she reached the staircase than she heard Mrs. Davenant’s carriage announced. To get her shawl and make her way down the staircase was the work of a few moments, and the brougham was rolling away toward Walmington Square before Jack had got down to the hall.
“Well, my dear,” said Mrs. Davenant, “have you enjoyed yourself? You look pale and tired.”
Una shrunk into her corner.
“I am rather tired,” she said, in a low voice, “it was all so new and strange.”
“And was Lady Bell kind?”
“Very kind,” answered Una, with a sigh. “How beautiful she is!”
“Yes,” said Mrs. Davenant, “she is a very fortunate girl. Youth and beauty and wealth, she has much to make her happy. Tell me whom you saw, my dear.”
Una flushed and trembled. She went over the names of some of the great people, but she said nothing of Jack. She could not bring her trembling lips to frame his name.
“All the best people in town,” said Mrs. Davenant, with a smile. “You will be a fashionable young lady before long, Una.”