It was not often that one house held two such women as the Countess of Linleigh and Lady Studleigh. The countess was all grace, and suavity, and high breeding; Lady Studleigh all brilliancy, beauty, and wit. Even old courtiers, who had seen some of the first beauties of both empires, declared there was nothing to equal her. Another great attraction to all clever people was the constant presence of the now famous poet, Earle Moray, at Hyde House. His conversation was a great charm, although some, wiser and more thoughtful than others, said it was hardly right to expose a young and talented man like Earle Moray to the constant fascinations of Lady Doris Studleigh. She bore her triumph with a certain grand calm that impressed her parents wonderfully. "Race does tell, after all," said the duchess, as she watched the young beauty. "Any other girl would have shown some elation at the great amount of admiration offered--Lady Studleigh shows none. After all, race will tell." Invitations came for a royal ball, and it was remarked by all present that the whole of the royal circle seemed to look upon the proud young beauty with great favor. Then came invitations to a royal concert. One of the young princesses, whose marriage was then on the _tapis_, declared that she would have the Lady Doris on the list of her bridesmaids. No _fete_ was considered a success without her--a ball without Lady Studleigh was almost a failure. "That girl has homage enough paid her to turn her head," said the earl, laughingly, to his wife. The countess sighed. "My dear Ulric," she said, "I think it would require a great deal to move either her heart or her head; both seem to me equally safe." "You always sigh when you speak of Doris. Why is it, dear?" asked Lord Linleigh. "I cannot help wishing that she had less beauty and more love," she replied. "There are many perils in this world--perils of soul and of body--but I think the greatest of all is certainly the perils of beauty." "I think you are right," observed the earl; "but we must hope, having escaped so far, she will escape the rest." CHAPTER LX. DORIS AFFECTS A LITTLE CURIOSITY. "You are not looking quite so well as usual this morning, Doris," said Lady Linleigh. "You are nervous, too; you start at every sound. What is wrong, dear?" "Nothing," replied Lady Doris, "but that I did not sleep well. I had a most unpleasant dream." "What was it?" asked the countess. "About Italy--about some one I knew, I saw there. Only a foolish dream, and I am foolish to mention it." "Of all people in the world, you are the last I ever should have imagined to know what being nervous meant." "I am not nervous," replied Lady Doris, quickly. "It would annoy me very much to hear any one say so."