ad just heard--of
Undine and the water-sprites--she leaned over the boat's side and gazed
into the depths. The blue sky and white fleecy clouds, the tall green
trees and broad leaves, were all reflected there. There was a strange,
weird fascination in the placid water--what went on in the depths
beneath? What lay beneath the ripples? Suddenly she drew back with a
startled cry a cry that rang out in the clear summer air, and haunted
Lord Airlie while he lived. He looked at her; her face had grown
white, even to the very lips, and a nameless, awful dread lay in her
dark eyes.

"What is it?" he asked, breathlessly. She recovered herself with a
violent effort, and tried to smile.

"How foolish I am!" she said; "and what is worse you will all laugh at
me. It was sheer fancy and nonsense, I know; but I declare that
looking down into the water, I saw my own face there with such a
wicked, mocking smile that it frightened me."

"It was the simple reflection," said Lionel Dacre. "I can see mine.
Look again, Miss Earle."

"No," she replied, with a shudder; "it is only nonsense, I know, but it
startled me. The face seemed to rise from the depths and smile--oh,
oh, such a smile! When shall I forget it?"

"It was only the rippling of the water which distorted the reflection,"
said Lord Airlie.

Beatrice made no reply, but drew her lace shawl around her as though
she were cold.

"I do not like the water," she said presently; "it always frightens me.
Let us land, Mr. Laurence, please. I will never go on the lake again."

Gaspar laughed, and Mr. Dacre declared Beatrice had had too strong a
dose of Undine and the water-sprites. Lord Airlie felt her hand
tremble as he helped her to leave the boat. He tried to make her
forget the incident by talking of the ball and the pleasure it would
bring. She talked gayly, but every now and then he saw that she
shuddered as though icily cold.

When they were entering the house she turned round, and, in her
charming, imperious way, said:

"None of you must tell papa about my fright. I should not like him to
think that an Earle could be either fanciful or a coward. I am brave
enough on land."

The heat had tried both girls, and Lady Helena said they must rest
before dinner. She made Beatrice lie down upon the cosy little couch
in her dressing room. She watched the dark eyes close, and thought how
beautiful the young face looked in repose.

But the girl's sleep was troubl