While he was talking, she was thinking of many things. Was it a dream, or a reality, that she, Doris Brace, daughter of Mark and Patty Brace, was really talking to a lord, listening to his compliments, that he admired her quite as much as Earle did? It was more like a dream than a reality. He, who had been half over the world, who belonged to the highest society, who had seen and known the most beautiful women in England, to be talking to her so easily, so kindly. "I must be beautiful," thought the girl, in her heart, "or he would never have noticed me." Then she recalled her wandering thoughts. The sun was shining full upon them, and all its light seemed to be concentrated in a superb diamond that he wore on his left hand. No matter where she looked, her eyes seemed to be drawn to that stone; the fire of it was dazzling. Then her eyes wandered over the well-knit figure. What a difference dress made. Earle, in such garments as these, would look like a nobleman. Her attention was suddenly attracted. "You do not answer me," he was saying. She looked up at him. "I beg your pardon," she said; "I was not really listening to you." "I was telling you that I ought to have left the Castle three days ago, but I was determined that I would not leave until I had seen you. I do not know how I can tear myself away." Again she blushed crimson. Could it be possible that he had stayed purposely to see her? "I should rather think that you stayed to enjoy a little more of Lady Estelle's society," she said. "Lady Estelle," he repeated. "You do not suppose that any one could find any pleasure in that perfect icicle." "Icicle! I should never give her that name. She seemed to me, on the contrary, almost sentimental." "My dear Miss Brace," he said, "it is simply impossible that we can be speaking of the same lady. I assure you that Lady Estelle Hereford is known everywhere as the coldest and proudest of women. She has had many admirers, but I do not think she ever loved any one." The girl's eyes were now fixed on him in perplexity and wonder. "Never in love!" she repeated. "Why, she gave me a long lecture about love, and advised me never to marry without it. When she spoke of it her face quite changed, her eyes lost their indolent expression and filled with light. I thought she was the most romantic and sentimental lady I had ever met." "I can only say that I believe it to be the first romantic idea of her life. She is cold, reserved, high-bred, and graceful, I admit; but as for sentiment, she has none of it." "We have evidently seen her from different points of view," said Doris. "I wonder which is the correct one." "I dislike contradicting a lady, but must state that I am likely to know her better than you. I have known her many years, and you have only met her once." "Still we differ considerably," said Doris. "And you think it possible that I should remain for her sake? Of all the people in the world she interests me the least."