or the rest of my
days. I must see what money can do for me next. When I have thoroughly
hardened my heart I may not feel my misfortune as I feel it now. Pity me
or despise me. In either case let us say goodnight."

He went out into the hall and took his hat. Dick went out into the hall
and took _his_ hat.

"Have your own way," he answered, "I mean to have mine--I'll go home
with you."

The man was simply irresistible. Beaucourt sat down resignedly on the
nearest of the hall chairs. Dick asked him to return to the dining-room.
"No," he said; "it's not worth while. What I can tell you may be told in
two minutes." Dick submitted, and took the next of the hall chairs. In
that inappropriate place the young lord's unpremeditated confession
was forced out of him, by no more formidable exercise of power than the
kindness of his friend.

"When you hear where I met with her," he began, "you will most likely
not want to hear any more. I saw her, for the first time, on the stage
of a music hall."

He looked at Dick. Perfectly quiet and perfectly impenetrable, Dick only
said, "Go on." Beaucourt continued in these words:

"She was singing Arne's delicious setting of Ariel's song in the
'Tempest,' with a taste and feeling completely thrown away on the
greater part of the audience. That she was beautiful--in my eyes at
least--I needn't say. That she had descended to a sphere unworthy of her
and new to her, nobody could doubt. Her modest dress, her refinement
of manner, seemed rather to puzzle than to please most of the people
present; they applauded her, but not very warmly, when she retired. I
obtained an introduction through her music-master, who happened to be
acquainted professionally with some relatives of mine. He told me that
she was a young widow; and he assured me that the calamity through which
her family had lost their place in the world had brought no sort of
disgrace on them. If I wanted to know more, he referred me to the lady
herself. I found her very reserved. A long time passed before I could
win her confidence--and a longer time still before I ventured to confess
the feeling with which she had inspired me. You know the rest."

"You mean, of course, that you offered her marriage?"

"Certainly."

"And she refused you on account of your position in life."

"No. I had foreseen that obstacle, and had followed the example of the
adventurous nobleman in the old story. Like him, I assumed a name, and
presented m