hey are not the flowers that resemble
you." He was thinking how much simple, loving Dora was like the pretty
delicate little blossoms. "You are like the tall queenly lilies."

He paused, for Valentine was looking at him with a wondering smile.

"Do you know you have paid me two compliments in less than five
minutes?" she said. "And yesterday we agreed that between true friends
they were quite unnecessary."

"I--I did not intend to pay idle compliments," he replied. "I merely
said what I thought. You are like a tall, grand, white lily, Miss
Charteris. I have often thought so. If you will not dance with me
again, will you walk through the rooms?"

Many admiring glances followed them--a handsomer pair was seldom seen.
They passed through the long suite of rooms and on to the conservatory,
where lamps gleamed like stars between the green plants and rare
exotics.

"Will you rest here?" said Ronald. "The ball room is so crowded one
can not speak there."

"Ah," thought Miss Charteris, "then he really has something to say to
me!"

Despite her calm dignity and serene manner, Valentine's heart beat
high. She loved the gallant young heir--his honest, kindly nature had
a great charm for her. She saw that the handsome face bending over the
flowers was agitated and pale. Miss Charteris looked down at the
lilies in her hand. He came nearer to her, and looked anxiously at her
beautiful face.

"I am not eloquent," said Ronald--"I have no great gift of speech; but,
Miss Charteris, I should like to find some words that would reach your
heart and dwell there."

He wanted to tell her of Dora, to describe her sweet face with its
dimples and blushes, her graceful manner, her timid, sensitive
disposition. He wanted to make her love Dora, to help him to soften
his mother's prejudices and his father's anger; no wonder his lips
quivered and his voice faltered.

"For some days past I have been longing to speak to you," continued
Ronald; "now my courage almost fails me. Miss Charteris, say something
that will give me confidence." She looked up at him, and any other man
would have read the love in her face.

"The simplest words you can use will always interest me," she said,
gently.

His face cleared, and he began: "You are kind and generous--"

Then came an interruption--Sir Harry Laurence, with a lady, entered the
conservatory.

"This is refreshing," he said to Ronald. "I have been ten minutes
trying to get here