"My darling, let me teach you all its sweetness," murmured Earle's voice in her ear, but though a swift blush burned her face, she shrugged her willful shoulders, and continued in a louder voice, that all around might hear: "If I ever _do_ fall in love, it will be with a _hero_, with some man who has done something great, or perhaps risked his life to save mine. I don't believe I could ever love a common, everyday sort of man, like the ones I know, unless he turned out to be a _hero_. Then I could worship him!" And just a few hours later those words, spoken in such artless innocence, came back to the heart of every man there--came back with a thrill of love and hope. She had stolen away from them all a short time before, and just as they were wondering what had become of the little sprite, they heard some one singing blithely on the river. It was Ladybird in a little blue boat, rowing herself with consummate skill, the water falling in silvery sparkles from the light oars. Her pretty face glowed rosily, and her eyes danced with fun as she trilled a gay little boating song. It was the bonniest sight ever seen on the broad, beautiful river flowing between its banks of spring-time green. Every one ran down to the bank--every one but Aura Stanley, who sulked beneath a tree. "Take me in, Ladybird--take me!" called one after another eagerly; but she cried out saucily: "I will take one of the gentlemen to row me, because my arms are getting tired." All in a minute followed the terrible accident. In the middle of the river where she was rowing it was deep and dangerous, but she seemed to forget that in her joyous excitement; and, turning the boat too quickly toward the shore, it careened over, and Ladybird fell into the water. One long shriek of fear and terror, and the rippling waves of the beautiful river closed sullenly over the little head! A cry of grief arose from fifty throats, but it was speedily turned to a cheer, for--Splash! splash! splash! came the sounds, too fast to count, and twelve out of Ladybird's thirteen lovers had leaped boldly into the river to save her precious life. CHAPTER XIV. "LIKE DIAN'S KISS." "Oh, think when a hero is sighing, What danger in such an adorer! What woman would dream of denying The hand that lays laurels before her? No heart is so guarded around But the smile of a victor would take it; No bosom can slumber so sound But the trumpet of glory will wake it." Rosemont was one of the most ideally beautiful summer houses in Fauquier County. It was a large white mansion, in villa style, surrounded by flower-gardens and pleasure-grounds, with a charming mountain view, and, nearer home, the silvery windings of the Rappahannock River forming the southern boundary of the large estate.