But one day when it chanced that Stella was at home resting after a grand ball at which she had reigned supreme, a brougham drove up to the door, and while she was just preparing to say "not at home," the servant opened the door of the boudoir, and there stood the tall, graceful, lady-like figure of Lilian. Stella sprang forward and caught her in her arms, with a cry that brought Leycester bounding up-stairs. The two girls clung to each other for at least five minutes, crying softly, and uttering little piteous monosyllables, after the manner of their kind; then Lilian turned to Leycester. "Oh, Ley, don't be angry. I've come!" she cried. "So I see, Lil," he said, kissing her. "And how glad we are I need not say." "And she shall never go again, shall she?" exclaimed Stella, with her arm round the fragile form. "Why, I don't mean to!" said Lilian, piteously. "You won't send me away, will you, Stella? I can't live without him, I can't indeed. You will let me stay, won't you? I shan't be in the way. I'll creep into a corner, and efface myself; and I shan't be very much trouble, because I am so much stronger now, and--oh, you will let me stay?" There is no need to set down in hard, cold, black letters their answer. "There is only one thing more I want to make my happiness complete," said Stella; and they knew that she meant the reconciliation of Leycester with the old people. So Lilian stayed, and made an additional sunshine and joy in the little house; and it amused Leycester to see how soon she too fell at the feet of the new beauty and worshipped her. "If any one could be too good for you, Ley," she said, "Stella would be that one." Well, time passed; the season was at its height, and the countess came to town. The earl had been in his place in the Upper House from the beginning of the season, of course; but the countess had remained at the Hall nursing her disappointment. She came up in time for one of the State balls, at which her presence was indispensable. It was the great official ball of the season, and crowded to excess. The countess arrived with the earl just before the small hours, and after the usual ceremonies and exchanges of salutations with the great world which she had left for so many months, she had time to look round the room. She did so with a little inward tremor, for she knew that Leycester and "his wife" were to be present. To her relief--and disappointment--they had not arrived. For all her pride and hauteur the mother's heart ached. But if they were not there, their reputation had preceded them. She heard Stella's name every five minutes, heard the greatest in the land regretting her absence, and wondering what kept her away. Presently, toward two o'clock, there was a perceptible stir in the magnificent salon, and the murmur went up: "Lord and Lady Trevor!"