“Very well, then we will call the matter settled,” Lady Randal replied, rising, and infinitely relieved that she had been able to secure a companion for her troublesome aunt, though she thought the girl a “proud minx.” She left her with a cool good-morning, and the young girl seemed to breathe freer the moment the door closed after her. A month later they were settled in that gem of a villa, near Vallingham Hall. Brownie had fully recovered, and was getting stronger every day. She really grew quite attached to the old lady when she became better acquainted with her, and found her, with all her oddities, a much more congenial companion than either Mrs. Coolidge or Isabel had been. She read a great deal, and practiced several hours a day, so that the time slipped by until Lady Randal and her family came down to Vallingham Hall, the advent of which was to open a new era in Brownie Douglas’ life. CHAPTER XXVI “AND YOU WILL BE MY WIFE!” The events contained in the last two chapters Brownie related in substance to Adrian, as they sat together upon the rock where he had first discovered who she was the night previous. “I suppose you know Miss Isabel is engaged to Sir Charles Randal,” Adrian said, when she had concluded. “Sir Charles Randal! No!” replied Brownie, growing pale at the intelligence. “What! you have been an inmate of their family so long, and not know of this important circumstance.” “I saw but very little of the family while I was at their house in London. I was with Lady Ruxley constantly, and scarcely went out until we came down to West Malling, which we did a month before the family at the Hall; and we have not seen much of them since, but live very quietly and pleasantly at the villa.” “It is too bad, for Charles really deserves a better fate,” said Adrian, with a clouded brow. “By the way,” and Brownie glanced up mischievously, “do you know that that honor was intended for you?” “I surmised as much from certain circumstances which came to my knowledge,” he replied, with a scornful curl of his fine lips. “But,” he added, a moment after, as he gathered her close in his arms, “she will find that there was one who could look beneath the surface. My darling—my darling—my pure little pearl! what is she compared with you?” “Lady Ruxley will be very much disappointed, Adrian.” “I presume so; I should be somewhat surprised if she was not. But is Lady Ruxley of more consequence than some one else whom you know?” the young man asked, as, placing one finger beneath her chin, he raised the blushing face so that he could look into the lovely eyes. “No; oh, no—but——” with a little smile. “But what, dear?” questioned her lover, tenderly, as he saw the sensitive lips quivering. “But, Adrian, I may as well say it first as last—I shrink from the ordeal which I know must come.” “What ordeal?” he asked, very gravely.