"Doris," said Mattie, "will you come out? We shall have just time for a stroll in the woods before Earle comes." Lady Doris laughed. "I really cannot, Mattie. The spirit of unrest is on me, I cannot go anywhere or do anything until I have seen Earle." "Have you decided yet about your wedding-dress?" asked Mattie. "This strange caprice of silence makes me afraid to speak; but, silence or not, it is high time that it was seen about." Lady Doris laughed. "I am so amused at myself, Mattie," she said. "If any one had ever told me, some years, even some months since, that I should be quite indifferent over my wedding-dress, I would not have believed it." "But _why_ are you indifferent?" asked Mattie. "I _cannot_ understand. Is it because you are not marrying a nobleman--is it because you are marrying Earle?" "No," was the reply. "You can believe me or not, Mattie, just as you please, but I assure you I am more proud in marrying Earle than if I were marrying a king." "So I should imagine. Earle is a king; then why this strange desire for secrecy?" The beautiful eyes were raised wistfully to her face. "I may tell you, perhaps, some day, Mattie, but not now, dear--not now. You will marry some good, kindly man, Mattie--some one like yourself, who never knew the fiery heat of temptation; who has always kept--as you have kept--his eyes on Heaven; then, some day, dear, when you are sitting with your little children around you, I shall come to you--world-worn and weary, perhaps, who knows!--longing to lay my head in the clover grass, and then I may tell you all--but not now." "Then there is a secret?" said Mattie, gently. "Yes," was the wary reply, "there is a secret." The words seemed half forced from her. "Does Earle know it?" asked Mattie. "No, and never will. Do not talk to me, dear; you have been my sister many years, and I love you very much; if ever I seek a confidante it will be you. You need not be anxious over my wedding-dress, Mattie. Lady Linleigh has presented me with my _trousseau_, and she tells me that no royal princess ever had a more sumptuous one; she told me also that a box would come from Paris to-day, for you and for me; rely upon it, that will contain my wedding-dress." "How kind Lady Linleigh is to you," said Mattie. "I do not think your own mother could love you better." "I do not think she would love me half so much," was the laughing reply. Then, in the warm, sunlit air, they heard the sharp clang of the clock--eleven. "He will be here in an hour," said Doris. "Shall you not go and change your dress?" asked the simple little foster-sister. "I thought great ladies always dressed very grandly to receive their lovers." "My dear Mattie," was the coquettish reply, "_could_ I look better?"