It was the morning after the picnic, and Earle had gone after breakfast to the station to meet his friend, Lord Chester. Precious and Norah, with the ever faithful Kay, had gone down to the river as soon as the dew was dry on the grass. Precious sat under an apple tree with her dog at her feet. Norah chose another tree close by and resumed her favorite lace knitting. It was a scene of the most exquisite beauty, and the spirit of peace seemed brooding over the spot. The orchard trees were pink with bloom, and the soft green grass was studded with violets, pale yellow cowslips and golden buttercups. Overhead arched a sky as blue as that of Italy, and in the sweet warm sunshine the blithe birds were flitting and singing, while the hum of bees in the may blooms blent in the music of the river rippling along at the young girl's feet. She had taken along a book to read, but she had not opened it yet. She was gazing dreamily at the river, now and then throwing flowers on the swift-flowing stream and watching them drift away out of sight. So the young men came upon her unawares, and when Lord Chester saw her he started with keen delight at the lovely vision. When he had told Ethel how much he admired her sister's portrait she had answered that it was flattered, that Precious was not half so beautiful. He realized instantly that Ethel had spoken falsely that day. Precious Winans, in her white gown and with her pearl-fair face, velvet-blue eyes, and cloud of golden ringlets, was the most exquisite beauty he had ever beheld. She looked like a young angel strayed away from paradise, and when she raised to his her liquid eyes, so clear and innocent, he saw mirrored in their depths a pure, true soul. Then Earle said in his most genial tone: "Precious, this is Lord Chester. You must be very friendly with him, for some day he will be your brother. He tells me he is engaged to Ethel." "I am very glad," Precious answered simply. She rose and put out her hand to him. He clasped it a moment with lingering pressure, and while he held it felt himself grow dizzy with a rapture so keen it was akin to pain. "From my swift blood that went and came, A thousand little shafts of flame Were shivered in my narrow frame." He murmured something in a low voice, he scarcely knew what; then Earle said carelessly: "I will leave you two to entertain each other while I go over and tease Norah a little." He turned away and left the pair together--two young romantic hearts in that romantic spot. Precious stole a shy glance at her companion, and her girlish heart thrilled with admiration for his manly beauty. How grand and handsome he was! so tall, so graceful, his complexion so clear and pale, his eyes such a splendid dark-gray, his close-clipped hair such a shining chestnut brown, where it lay in careless waves on his broad white brow.