"It was very kind of you," observed Sir Oswald. "Nay, the kindness is on her part, not on mine. She is like a sunbeam in my house. Fair, gentle, a perfect lady, she has not one idea that is not in itself innately refined and delicate. I knew that if she went into society at all she would soon marry." "Is there any probability of that?" asked Sir Oswald. "No, for by her own desire we shall live very quietly this year. She wished to see Darrell Court and its owner--we have spoken so much of you--but with that exception we shall go nowhere." "I hope she is pleased with Darrell Court," said Sir Oswald. "How could she fail to be, as well as delighted with its hospitable master? I could read that much in her pretty face. Here they are, Sir Oswald--Miss Darrell alone, looking very dignified--Elinor, with your friend. Ah, she knows how to choose friends!" They joined the group, but Miss Darrell was in one of her most dignified moods. She had been forced to listen to a fashionable conversation between Captain Langton and Miss Rocheford, and her indignation and contempt had got the better of her politeness. They all partook of luncheon together, and then the visitors departed; not, however, until Lady Hampton had accepted from Sir Oswald an invitation to spend a week at Darrell Court. Sir Francis and Lady Allroy were coming--the party would be a very pleasant one; and Sir Oswald said he would give a grand ball in the course of the week--a piece of intelligence which delighted the captain and Miss Rocheford greatly. Then Lady Hampton and her niece set out. Sir Oswald held Elinor's hand rather longer than strict etiquette required. "How like she is to my dead love!" he thought, and his adieu was more than cordial. As they drove home, Lady Hampton gazed at her niece with a look of triumph. "You have a splendid chance, Elinor," she said; "no girl ever had a better. What do you think of Darrell Court?" "It is a palace, aunt--a magnificent, stately palace. I have never seen anything like it before." "It may be yours if you play your cards well, my dear." "How?" cried the girl. "I thought it was to be Miss Darrell's. Every one says she is her uncle's heiress." "People need not make too sure of it. I do not think so. With a little management, Sir Oswald will propose to you, I am convinced." The girl's face fell. "But, aunt, he is so old." "He is only just fifty, Elinor. No girl in her senses would ever call that old. It is just the prime of life." "I like Captain Langton so much the better," she murmured. "I have no doubt that you do, my dear; but there must be no nonsense about liking or disliking. Sir Oswald's income must be quite twenty thousand per annum, and if you manage well, all that may be yours. But you must place yourself under my directions, and do implicitly what I tell you, if so desirable a result is to be achieved." CHAPTER XIV. PAULINE'S LOVE FOR DARRELL COURT.