"I do not look much like Doris Brace, the farmer's daughter, now," she said to herself. Then Lady Linleigh entered the room. "I could not rest, Doris," she said, "until I had seen you, and knew whether you felt nervous or not." Something like a smile of contempt wreathed the beautiful lips. "Nervous, Lady Linleigh! not one whit," she replied. "Now, if I were about being presented to a handsome young monarch, who wanted a queen to reign by his side, I might feel nervous." "When I was presented," said Lady Linleigh, "I did feel very nervous. I thought of it for days and weeks beforehand." "You and I, dear Lady Linleigh, differ considerably," said Doris. "I often think myself it is strange, but I am really wanting in that respect--I have no organ of reverence; I do not believe that I stand in awe of any human being." "It is strange; and I am not sure that such total independence is altogether good for you, my dear. I should like you to bear more on others, less on yourself." "I am as I was made," laughed the girl; then she blushed slightly, for the earl stood at the door of her dressing-room, looking at her with such admiration in his eyes as they had seldom expressed before. She could not help feeling embarrassed by it. Then she went up to him, saying: "Now, papa, imagine yourself the queen; let me make you my grand presentation courtesy." He never forgot her as she stood there, the light flaming in her jewels and falling on the golden hair, the face softened into unusual beauty by the slight flush. "My darling," said Lord Linleigh, us he laid his hand on her head, "my darling, I am proud of you." The words were few, but they expressed a whole volume. "There will not be a fairer girl at the drawing-room to-day," he continued, "Yet you must look out for your laurels, Doris. Lady Blanche Trevor is presented to-day, and the Trevors have always been considered the handsomest family in England." "I am not afraid, papa," was the calm reply. "We should be going now; it is some time since the carriage was announced." "Doris," said the countess, "stop one minute, dear." Doris turned, wonderingly. She detected a faint tremor in the voice; Lady Linleigh's face, too, was very pale. "Come here one moment," she continued, and Lady Doris went up to her. The pale, lovely face looked into hers, the gentle hands touched her, the sweet lips caressed her. The countess took one long tress of the golden hair in her hands. "I could not let you go out into the world, my dear," she said, slowly, "without first wishing you all happiness." All her heart was on her lips, and her voice trembled with emotion. Lady Doris looked at her in a perfect bewilderment of surprise. "You are very kind to me, Lady Linleigh," she said; and there was something of haughty surprise in her voice which fell like cold snow on the gentle heart. "You are very kind," she repeated, "but I have no fear."