The crisis, however, was brought on by Mr.Hardwick himself.

One day, when they were alone together, he said abruptly,-- "That romance in high life which you were investigating with Mr.Cadbury Taylor did not come to anything ?" "No, Mr.Hardwick." "Then don't you think we might enact a romance in high life in this very room; it is high enough from the street to entitle it to be called a romance in high life," and the editor grinned uneasily, like an unready man who hopes to relieve a dilemma by a poor joke.
Jennie, however, did not laugh and did not look up at him, but continued to scribble shorthand notes on the paper before her.
"Ah, Mr.Hardwick!" she said with a sigh, "I see you have discovered my secret, although I had hoped to conceal it even from your alert eyes.
I am, indeed, in the situation of _Ralph Rackstraw_ in 'Pinafore,' 'I love, and love, alas! above my station,' and now that you know half, you may as well know all.

It arose out of that unfortunate ball given by the Duchess of Chiselhurst which will haunt me all the rest of my life, I fear," said Jennie, still without looking up.

Mr.Hardwick smothered an ejaculation and was glad that the girl's eyes were not upon him.

There was a pause of a few moments' duration between them.