During this brief interval he had seen many admiring and some wondering glances directed towards Jane and he realised that she was somehow a person entirely apart from any of the others, more beautiful, more distinguished, more desirable.

Of the Lady Jane ruling at Woolhanger with a high hand, there was no trace.

She looked out upon the gay room with its voluptuous air, its many couples and little parties carrees, with the friendly and sympathetic interest of one who finds herself in agreeable surroundings and whose only desire is to come into touch with them.

Her plain black gown, her simple hat with its single quill, the pearls which were her sole adornment, all seemed part of her.

She appeared wholly unconscious of the admiration she excited.