.

"I mean, in America."

"Novelty again," said the lady, smiling, for she could not help liking
Dolly.

"No," said Dolly, "not that. It was far more than that. It was the real
beauty,--and then, it was the tokens of a family which had had power
enough to write its history all along. There was the power, and the
history; and such a strange breath of other days. There is nothing like
that in America.''

"Then we shall keep you in England?" said Lady Brierley still with a
pleased smile.

"I do not know," said Dolly; but her face clouded over and lost the
brightness which had been in it a moment before.

"I see you would rather return," said her visitor. "Perhaps you have
not been long enough here to feel at home with us?"

"I have been here for several years," said Dolly. "Ever since I was
fifteen years old."

"That is long enough to make friends."

"I have not made friends," said Dolly. "My mother's health has kept her
at home--and I have stayed with her."

"But, my dear, you are just at an age when it is natural to want
friends and to enjoy them. In later life one learns to be sufficient to
one's self; but not at eighteen. I am afraid Brierley must be sadly
lonely to you."

"Oh no," said Dolly, with her sweet gleam of a smile, which went all
over her face; "I am not lonesome."

"Will you come and see me sometimes?"

"If I can. Thank you, Lady Brierley."

"You seem to me to be a good deal of a philosopher," said the lady, who
evidently still found Dolly a puzzle. "Or is it rather an artist, that
I should say?"--glancing at the drawing-table--"I know artists are very
sufficient to themselves."

"I am neither one nor the other," said Dolly, laughing.

"You are not apathetic--I can see that. What is your secret, Miss
Copley?"

"I beg your pardon--what secret does your ladyship mean?"

"Your secret of content and self-reliance. Pardon me--but you excite my
envy and curiosity at once."

Dolly's look went back to the fire. "I have no secret," she said
gravely. "I am not a philosopher. I am afraid I am not always
contented. And yet I _am_ content," she added, "with whatever the Lord
gives me. I know it is good."

Lady Brierley saw tears in the eyes, which were so singularly wise and
innocent at once. She was more and more interested, but would not
follow Dolly's last lead. "What do you draw?" she asked, again turning
her head towards the drawing materials.

"Whatever comes in my way," said Dolly. "