ys nervous with strangers."

Dora was sitting under the shade of a large flowering tree, her hands
folded, and her eyes riveted on the distant hills; there was something
in her listless manner that touched both ladies more than any words
could have done. A deep flush crimsoned her face when Ronald and his
guests stood before her. She rose, not ungracefully; her eyelids
drooped in their old shy manner. As Ronald introduced his wife,
something in the girl's wistful face went straight to Lady Charteris's
heart. She spoke not a word, but folded Dora in her arms and kissed
her as her own mother might have done.

"You must learn to love us," said Valentine; "we are your husband's
dearest friends."

Poor Dora had no graceful words ready; her heart was full of gratitude,
but she knew not how to express it. Ronald looked at her anxiously,
and she caught his glance.

"Now," thought Dora, "he will not be pleased." She tried to say
something of her pleasure in seeing them, but the words were so stiff
and ungracious that Ronald hastened to interrupt them.

A luncheon of fruit and wine was brought out into the garden, and they
talked merrily--of Earlescourt and the dear old friends there; of the
ball and Prince di Borgesi; in all of which Dora felt that she had no
share.

Who was this beautiful lady, with her fair face and golden hair?

The same face she saw that Ronald had painted in his picture, and every
one admired. How graceful she was! How she talked! The words seemed
to ripple like music over her perfect lips. Where had Ronald known
her? Why had he never told her of Miss Charteris?

"Ah!" thought Dora, "if I could be like her!" And a sudden sense of
wonder struck her that Ronald had not loved and married this fair and
gracious lady.

Valentine neither forgot nor neglected her. She tried to draw her into
their conversation, but Dora replied so uneasily and so briefly to all
her remarks that she saw the truest kindness was to leave her alone.

They spent a few hours pleasantly, and Lady Charteris would not leave
until Ronald promised to take his wife to spend a long day with them.

"I can hardly promise for Dora," said Ronald, kindly; "she seldom
leaves home."

"Mrs. Earle will not refuse me," said Valentine, with that smile which
no one ever resisted. "She will come with you, and we will make her
happy."

When the day was settled, the ladies drove away, and Ronald watched the
carriage until it was