ife had no higher ideal, no truer friend than the
Princess Borgezi.

The wedding day dawned at last; and for a time all trace of sadness was
hidden away. Lord Earle would have it so. He said that that which
should be the happiest day of Lillian's life must not be clouded. Such
sad thoughts of the lost Beatrice as came into the minds of those who
had loved her remained unspoken.

The summer sun never shone upon a more lovely bride, nor upon a fairer
scene than that wedding. The pretty country church was decorated with
flowers and crowded with spectators.

Side by side at the altar stood Lady Dora Earle and Valentine. People
said afterward they could not decide whom they admired most--Lady
Helena's stately magnificence, Dora's sweet, simple elegance, or the
Princess Borgezi's statuesque Grecian beauty.

Lord Earle had prepared a surprise for Dora. When the little wedding
party returned from the church, the first to greet them was Stephen
Thorne, now a white-headed old man, and his wife. The first to show
them all honor and respect were Lord Earle and his mother. Valentine
was charmed with their homely simplicity.

For months after they returned to Knutsford the old people talked of
"the lady with the beautiful face, who had been so kind and gracious to
them."

Lord Airlie did not attend the wedding, but he had urged Lionel to
spend his honeymoon at Lynnton Hall, and Lillian had willingly
consented.

So they drove away when the wedding breakfast was over. A hundred
wishes for their happiness following them, loving words ringing after
them. Relatives, friends, and servants had crowded round them; and
Lillian's courage gave way at last. She turned to Lionel, as though
praying him to shorten their time of parting.

"Heaven bless you, my darling!" whispered Dora to her child. "And mind,
never--come what may--never be jealous of your husband."

"Goodbye, Lionel," said Lord Earle, clasping the true, honest hand in
his; "and, if ever my little darling here tries you, be patient with
her."

The story of a life time was told in these two behests.

Chapter XLV

Ten years had passed since the wedding bells chimed for the marriage of
Lillian Earle. New life had come to Earlescourt. Children's happy
voices made music there; the pattering of little feet sounded in the
large, stately rooms, pretty, rosy faces made light and sunshine.

The years had passed as swiftly and peacefully as a happy dream. One
even