Only One Love, or Who Was the Heir Part 49

And then he stood staring at her downcast face with startled eyes and pale countenance.

"Hallo! Take care!" cried Dalrymple. "What are you up to now, Savage?

Anything bitten you?"

Lady Bell looked from one to the other, from Una's white, downcast face to Jack's pale, startled one.

"Una," she breathed, "what is it?"

But Jack recovered himself.

"Just like you fellows," he said. "Didn't you know that you had pitched me on an ants' nest? What did you say, Lady Bell? I beg your pardon. T don't think there is much spilled, and there is nothing broken."

And he knelt down and picked up the cup.

Lady Bell laughed.

"I couldn't think what was the matter," she said. "Are you really bitten?"

"Just like Jack," said Sir Arkroyd, with philosophic calmness. "He is never happy unless he is breaking something. I give you my word that he smashes more gla.s.ses at the club than any other man."

"Always was clumsy," said Jack, with a constrained laugh.

Lady Bell smiled.

"You have quite frightened my friend, Miss Rolfe," she said. "Una, this unfortunate gentleman is Mr. Newcombe."

Jack had given her time, and she was able now to look at him calmly.

Jack bowed, his eyes glancing at her as if they scarcely dared trust the evidence of their own senses.

"Pray forgive me," he said. "I am very awkward. But I don't break quite so many things as they say. Is there any more champagne, Lady Earlsley?

I don't deserve it, I know----"

Lady Bell took up a bottle.

"Pour this into the cup, Una," she said, with a smile. "It is true he doesn't deserve it, but we will be merciful."

Una took the bottle and leaned forward, and as she did so Jack rose and stood before her, so that he screened her trembling hand from the eyes of the rest.

His own trembled, his own heart beat wildly; all else save the beautiful face so close to his own swam before his eyes.

Was he dreaming, or was it really she? He could not trust his eyes, he felt that he must touch her.

Slowly he put out his hand, and gently, tremblingly touched her white, slender wrist.

Instantly she raised her eyes and looked at him, a long, piteous look, as if he had struck her.

Yes, it was she. It was Una, his forest-maiden!

With a long breath he raised the cup to his lips and drained it, then sank down on the gra.s.s and took up his plate, scarcely knowing what he was doing.

The laughing voices around him seemed blurred and indistinct in his ears, the green trees and silver stream seemed to fade and vanish, and give place to the silent glade in which he had sat with the same beautiful girl bending over him.

Mechanically he went through the pretense of eating until a burst of laughter recalled him to himself.

"Look here!" shouted Dalrymple in boyish glee. "Here's the Savage, busy eating nothing!"

Jack laughed, awakened to the sense of the situation. He must nerve himself, if only for her sake.

"It must be sunstroke," he said lightly, staring at his empty plate.

"Will somebody give me a piece of cake? I have always doted on cake. I like a piece with the candied peel on it, Lady Bell. Thanks. Now I am just going to begin my luncheon."

"Those persons who are tired of watching the Savage satisfy his barbaric appet.i.te are requested to withdraw!" drawled Dalrymple, and he leaped to his feet, laughing.

"Seriously, if anyone would like to go up to the palace, I've an open door. I should like a row."

There was an instant clamor. Three parts of the party wanted to see the palace, and a couple of boat loads started.

Lady Clarence, Lady Bell, Una, and Jack remained.

He still kept up the pretense of eating and drinking; and Lady Bell, kneeling opposite him, seemed never to grow weary in supplying his wants.

Una, seated at a little distance, noticed with what eager attention she hung upon every word he uttered. And Jack kept on talking as if his life depended on it. But presently his patience came to an end.

He put down his plate resolutely.

"No more, thanks, or I shall be too heavy for the outrigger. Now, then, can't I help pack up?"

But Lady Bell wouldn't hear of it.

"No, you shall light your pipe," she said, "and watch us. Come, Una. I know you are dying to help us."

Una awoke with a start and knelt down beside the plates and dishes while Lady Bell went for the hamper.

Jack seized his opportunity. Bending forward, he whispered:

"Una!"

She half turned her face, pale and dreamy.

"Well?"

"Is it really you? How did you come here? Am I dreaming?"

"It is I," she said, in her low, musical voice.

"But--but," he said, "how did you come here? I did not know you were in London. I have been looking for you."

Her heart gave a great leap. He had been looking for her.