Lady Doris took especial pains over her own toilet that evening. The Countess of Linleigh was a duke's daughter, and her good opinion was worth having. She wished to impress her favorably, and she knew that she must choose the happy medium. She must not be too plain--that would seem like rusticity: nor too magnificent--that would be ostentation. "I wish now," she said to herself, "that I had never gone near Downsbury Castle: it was one of the most unfortunate things I ever did in my life. I wonder what she thought of me that day?" She did look exceedingly beautiful when she was dressed. She had chosen a costume of pale lilac silk, with golden ornaments. The silk was shaded by fine white lace--nothing could have suited her better. The ripples of golden hair were drawn loosely together, and fastened with a diamond arrow; the lovely face, with its dainty flush and bright, deep eyes; the lovely mouth, so like the soft petals of a rose; the white, graceful neck, the polished, pearly shoulders, the rounded arms--all made up a picture not often seen. Mattie looked at her in honest amaze. "You are very beautiful; you dazzle my eyes, dear," she said. "What shall you do with your beauty, Doris?" "Enjoy it," was the laughing reply. But Mattie looked grave. "It seems to me," she said, "that beauty such as yours is full of peril." "I do not see it," was the laughing answer. "Now, Mattie, it is time we went to the drawing-room; in one half hour from this my lord and my lady will be at home." * * * * * Faster and faster they seemed to drive; and with every minute that brought them nearer, Lady Linleigh grew paler. "It is an ordeal, Ulric," she said, in her clear, sweet voice; "it seems to me that all I have gone through is as nothing compared to this. It was very hard of papa--very hard." "He meant it for the best, Estelle, and we must bear it, love; it might have been much worse." "Yes; but to hear her speak, to be with her every moment of the day, yet never once to call her child, or hear her say 'mother'--it will be very hard, Ulric--you do not know how hard." "I can guess, my dear; but why dwell on this, the darkest side? Think of the happiness in store! Your father and mother both friends with us, having quite forgiven us, and, I venture to think, growing quite fond of me; they will come to see us, and we shall visit them; and you will always have Doris with you. Think of all those things!" "Do you think I shall betray myself, Ulric?" she asked, simply. "No, my wife, I do not. You kept your secret when you saw her at Downsbury Castle, and you will keep it now. As for loving her, indulging her, saying all kind and gentle words to her, that will be quite natural in your position. Try to be happy, my darling wife; there are happy days in store for us." "I will try," she said. At that moment they heard the chiming bells of Anderley Church, filling the air with rich, jubilant music.