The Lady Doris had said little, but she had watched him with jealous eyes. If he had failed in any little observance of form or etiquette, she would never have pardoned him; if she had heard even the least hint that he was not perfectly well-bred, that he was not accustomed to the manners of good society, her angry resentment would have known no bounds. As it was, she was flattered by the universal praise and admiration. Earle might have lived with dukes and earls all his life. It never occurred to him, this terrible distance in rank; he did not think of it. As he once said to Doris, "He was a gentleman--a king was no more." She had half anticipated feeling ashamed of him; she found, on the contrary, that she had ample reason to be proud of him. The earl told his wife and daughter what he hoped and intended to do for Earle. He almost wondered that the countess should be so pleased; her face flushed and her eyes filled with tears. "You are very good, Ulric," she said, very gently. He fancied that it was for her daughter's sake that she felt pleased. But there were no tears in his daughter's beautiful eyes. "I am a deal of trouble to you, papa," she said. "It is not enough that you must have a grown-up daughter, but you must also provide her with a husband! It is rather too hard on you." "But, Doris, you--you love Earle?" he said, anxiously. "Oh, yes, I love Earle. It is a thousand pities, though, that he has not a ready-made fortune and position--it would save you so much trouble." "My dear Doris, there can be no trouble for me where you are concerned; you know how anxious I am that you should be happy. You will be happy with Earle?" "I am one of those singularly fortunate people, papa, who are happy anywhere," she replied. Then, seeing a very discontented expression on his face, she hastened to add: "Remember how often you have called me a true Studleigh, papa. I find it more in my nature to laugh than to sentimentalize; indeed, under pain of instant execution, I fear that I should not, could not grow sentimental. At the same time believe me no one could be more grateful than I am to you about Earle." And with that the earl was forced to be content. She sat down to the piano shortly afterward, and he heard the gay voice singing of love and flowers. He looked at her--the same puzzle came to him. "Has she any heart?" he asked himself. That was a question which no one yet had been able to answer. "Earle," said Lady Doris, as they sat together in the morning-room, "do not read any more to me. I always tell you that reading poetry aloud to me is a waste of time and of talent. I want you to talk." The next moment he had closed the book, and was sitting on the little ottoman at her feet. "I am only too delighted," he said. "It is not often that my beautiful queen wishes to talk to me." "Your beautiful queen wishes to know, Earle, what you think of my lady?" "My lady!" he repeated wonderingly.