Jack started.
“Fortune hunters!” he exclaimed. “Do you mean to say that Una is an heiress?”
Stephen’s face had flushed and turned deadly pale.
He had actually been thinking of Una Davenant while he had been talking of Una Rolfe.
“You did not hear me out, my dear Jack,” he said, softly, recovering his composure instantly. “I was going to say against the attack of fortune hunters who might besiege her under the impression that, as my ward, she would be possessed of wealth, instead of being, as you know, absolutely penniless.”
Jack nodded.
“At any rate,” he said, grimly, “I was not so deceived.”
“My dear Jack!” exclaimed Stephen, reproachfully, “do you suppose that I do not know that! You, who are the soul of honor and disinterestedness, are not likely to be mistaken for a fortune hunter by anyone, least of all by me, who know and love you so well!”
Jack winced, as the vision of Lady Bell rose before his eyes.
“Go on,” he said, impatiently.