resolved that if that happiness lay in the
hands of this beautiful girl with the sad eyes and lips, he, Howard,
would do his best to persuade her to yield it up.

His reception was certainly not encouraging. Ida glanced at him, and
returned his bow with a slight inclination of her head, and then looked
away as if she had done all that could be demanded of her; and it was
with a faint surprise, perceptible in her face, that she heard Howard
say, in his slow, and rather drawling voice:

"There is a conservatory behind that glass door, Miss Heron; it is not
very far from the madding crowd, but it must be cooler than here. Will
you let me take you to it?"

She hesitated for a moment, but something in the steady regard of
Howard's calm and sleepy eyes impressed her.

"Very well," she said; "but I think I'm engaged for this next dance,
and I must not go far away. I have already broken two or three
engagements."

"In that case you can come without hesitation," he said. "It is the
first crime that costs a pang, having passed that the downward course
is easy and painless."

He led her to a seat, and with the cool determination which Stafford
always admired in him, began at once; for he did not wish to give her
time to slip on her woman's armour; he intended to strike quickly,
unexpectedly, so that she should not be able to conceal the effect of
the blow.

"Almost as hot as in Australia," he said, languidly, but watching her
out of the tail of his eye. "I suppose you were never there, Miss
Heron? Nor have I been; but I've got a letter in my pocket from a very
great friend of mine who is roughing it on a cattle-run, and he has so
often described the country to me, that I almost feel as if I knew it.
By the way, I think you know him. He is my dearest and closest friend--
Stafford Orme, as I always call him and think of him; of course I am
speaking of Lord Highcliffe."

The problem was solved: he saw her face suddenly flush, and then as
suddenly grow pale. So sharp had been the blow, its effect so
overwhelming, that her fan fell from her hand. Howard, as he restored
it to her, seized the opportunity of looking her full in the face, and
assurance was made doubly sure.

This girl _did_ hold his friend Stafford's happiness in her hand.

Ida was silent for a moment, because she knew she could not control her
voice, could not keep it steady; then, with a quickened breath, she
said:

"Yes, I knew Mr. Orme--Lord Highcliffe."