ng.

"If that is true, I really do not see what it has to do with you--or
me," she said coldly.

"Oh, I know it is true," said Mrs. Stanislaw, airily ignoring the rest
of April's remark. "I had it from a lady who is travelling
second-class because she has a bevy of children. She knows Mrs. Bellew
quite well, and, curiously enough, is a friend also of Cora Janis, who
wrote to her some time ago asking her to look out for Miss Poole on the
voyage. Naturally, Cora thought her governess would also be travelling
second." Mrs. Stanislaw smiled drily. "She little knows our April
Fool."

The girl's fascinated eyes watched the line of her smile. It was like
a thin curved knife, all the crueller for being artificially reddened.

"Why should you have such a down on her?"

The older woman's hard, handsome eyes took expression of surprise.

"A down on her? You are mistaken. I am only sorry that a girl should
so cheapen herself and her sex generally."

April could have shaken her, but it seemed wiser to try propitiation
instead. Her own career, as well as Diana's reputation, was at stake.

"After all, she has harmed no one but herself, Mrs. Stanislaw. As for
Captain Bellew, I daresay he told her long ago about his being married.
. . ."

"If you think so you think worse of her than I do," said Mrs. Stanislaw
acidly, "and I could hardly suppose that!"

"I do not think badly of her at all," retorted April indignantly. "She
is only a girl, and if she has been misled--well, it seems to me that
the situation calls for a little human charity rather than
condemnation."

"Of course," said the soft-voiced one. "I quite agree. Far be it from
me to condemn. One has, however, certain duties to one's friends."

April saw clearly what she meant, and that it was as useless to try to
divert her from her intention as to argue with an octopus. The very
fact that she knew Mrs. Janis would probably put an extinguisher on
April's career as a governess. Her impersonation of Lady Diana was
bound to come out, and if Mrs. Janis was cut on the same pattern as her
friend, she would be truly outraged by such an impertinence in a mere
governess. There was little to do but keep a tight lip and hope for
the best. For the moment, indeed, her troubles were swamped by a flood
of pity for Diana. She felt sure that Diana was in love with Bellew,
and feared that he had not told her the truth. On the other hand, he
might honourably have d