There was more to the same point; each word, every line, showed by its intensity what an agony of pain, and shame, and misery she had herself gone through. Hot tears fell on Grace's hands as she read the letter, and she threw herself upon her knees. "Why should she suffer and not I?" she cried, "and I am looking forward to happiness. Then she prayed long and fervently, not for happiness and blessings but for forgiveness!" "I shall only be really happy when I know she has forgotten," she said to herself, and she knew that this meant when Sir Albert Gerald had won her sister. The sun shone brightly on Grace's wedding-day. She was quiet and composed. When Lady Lyons praised her for her demeanour she said gravely, "I am losing nothing, leaving no one, and I am gaining much." The Duchess kissed her, and Lady Lyons moved forward a little. She had a vague idea she might be equally honoured, but was disappointed; however, there was the register signed by the Duke and Duchess, _that_ would go down to posterity in connection with her son, and that was always a great deal. As the small party left the church, they were met by Lady Penryn. "Oh, you naughty girl!" she said, playfully. "You nice thing! where have you been all this time? Does she not look sweet?" appealing to the Duchess, who, passing on, took no notice of her. She met with a cold reception from even Lady Lyons; but she was not to be daunted; laying a detaining hand on Grace's arm she said-- "The right thing for friends to know each other; the Duchess, my dear, introduce me." "Let me introduce Mr. Lyons," said Grace, with much composure, and passed on to the carriage with Paul. The discomfited lady received no comfort from her husband. "If I had only known she was that sort of girl," she said, bitterly; "I always thought she was a nobody, and the Duchess gave her away!" "Her father was most kind to my poor boy. I know nothing of his people, but he was a thorough gentleman. I never could understand why you would never take the slightest notice of the girl. However the thing's done now and cannot be mended." He did not tell his wife that he had sent Grace a magnificent bracelet, and a kind and fatherly letter, offering to be of use to her. She understood though he said nothing about his wife; and, avoiding all mention of Lady Penryn, she thanked him warmly, and told him about the Duchess and her kindness. Paul Lyons took his wife to Scotland, and to Inchbrae. Grace saw for herself the clearness of the sea, the beauty of colouring--all the fitful charm which makes the Highlands so very lovely and so dear to its people.