ll outward emotion.
Soon after, when Lord Dolchester told me a ridiculous story about Lady
Everton, I laughed--heartily, I must confess, though not loudly--and
she looked at me. I shall never accomplish 'elegant repose.'"

"You would not be half so charming if you did," replied her sister.

"Then it is so tempting to say at times what one really thinks! I can
not resist it. When Lady Everton tells me, with that tiresome simper
of hers, that she really wonders at herself, I long to tell her other
people do the same thing. I should enjoy, for once, the luxury of
telling Mrs. St. John that people flatter her, and then laugh at her
affectation. It is a luxury to speak the truth at all times, is it
not, Lily? I detest everything false, even a false word; therefore I
fear Lady Helena will never quite approve of my manner."

"You are so frank and fearless! At the Elms, do you remember how every
one seemed to feel that you would say just the right thing at the right
time?" asked Lillian.

"Do not mention that place," replied Beatrice; "this life is so
different. I like it so much, Lily--all the brightness and gayety. I
feel good and contented now. I was always restless and longing for
life; now I have all I wish for."

There was a pause then, and Lord Airlie longed to see who the speakers
were--who the girl was that spoke such frank, bright words--that loved
truth, and hated all things false--what kind of face accompanied that
voice. Suddenly the young earl remembered that he was listening, and
he started in horror from his seat. He pushed aside the clustering
roses. At first he saw nothing but the golden blossoms of a drooping
laburnum; then, a little further on, he saw a fair head bending over
some fragrant flowers; then a face so beautiful, so perfect, that
something like a cry of surprise came from Lord Airlie's lips.

He had seen many beauties, but nothing like this queenly young girl.
Her dark, bright eyes were full of fire and light; the long lashes
swept her cheek, the proud, beautiful lips, so haughty in repose, so
sweet when smiling, were perfect in shape. From the noble brow a waving
mass of dark hair rippled over a white neck and shapely shoulders. It
was a face to think and dream of, peerless in its vivid, exquisite
coloring and charmingly molded features. He hardly noticed the
fair-haired girl.

"Who can she be?" thought Lord Airlie. "I believed that I had seen
every beautiful woman in Londo