of her to ask such a question, but since she
chose to do so she should have an answer. Doubtless she supposed that
he was in love with herself, doubtless her conduct was premeditated and
aimed at the repression of his hopes. He would show her that there
were other women in the world, and that one of them at any rate had not
thought so poorly of him. It was foolish conduct on his part, but then
people suffering under unmerited snubs, neglect, and mockery at the
hands of a lady they admire are apt to lose their judgment and do
foolish things. So he answered:

"Jane Beach is the lady to whom I was engaged."

"I guessed it," she replied with a smile and a shiver. "I guessed it
when I saw that you always carried the prayer-book about with you."

"You forget, Miss Rodd, that the prayer-book contains an agreement which
might become valuable."

Juanna took no heed of his sarcasm, she was too intent on other
thoughts.

"And are you engaged to her now?"

"No, I suppose not. Her father broke off the match when we lost our
fortunes."

"She must have been very sorry?"

"Yes, she was very sorry."

"How interesting! You must not think me curious, Mr. Outram, but I have
never come across a love affair--that is a _white_ love affair--out of a
novel. Of course she often writes to you?"

"I have never heard from her since I left England."

"Indeed! Surely she might have written or sent a message?"

"I suppose that her father forbade it," Leonard answered; but in his
heart he also thought that Jane might have written or sent a message,
and could well guess why none had come.

"Ah! her father. Tell me, was she very beautiful?"

"She was the loveliest woman that I ever saw--except one who is sitting
at my side," he added to himself.

"And do you love her very much?"

"Yes, I loved her very much."

If Juanna heard the change of tense she took no note of it; it was
such a little thing, only one letter. And yet what a vast gulf there is
between _love_ and _loved_! It is measureless. Still, most people have
crossed it in their lives, some of them more than once. He told her the
exact truth, but after a woman's fashion she added to the truth. He said
that he had loved Jane Beach, and she did not doubt that he still loved
her more than ever. How was she to know that the image of this faraway
and hateful Jane was fading from his mind, to be replaced by that of a
certain present Juanna? She took it all for granted, and filled