"No, but every one knows what is in Lady Lancaster's mind," said Mrs. West, significantly. "It is dreadfully close here in this closet. One can scarcely breathe," said Leonora. "Oh! Lady Lancaster, you said. What has she to do with Lord Lancaster and the earl's daughter? It seems to me she is a very meddlesome old lady." "She wants her nephew to marry Lady Adela. Every one knows it. She invited her here just to throw them together and make the match." "But perhaps he will not marry her just to please his aunt!" spiritedly. "He will be apt to do just what my lady tells him," said Mrs. West. "If he does not, she will leave her money away from him. He can not afford that." "And will he really sell himself for money?" Leonora spoke in a stage whisper. "Hush, my dear; not quite so loud. As to selling himself, I don't know that you could call it that exactly. Many people here marry for wealth and position. Yet, why shouldn't these two young people fall in love with each other? Lady Adela has everything in the world that is desirable, except money, and so has he. Their fortune is made if they marry each other." "Happy pair!" said Leonora, in a sarcastic voice, in the darkness. "Isn't it just stifling in this hole, Aunt West? Let us go." They went back quietly to the little sitting-room again. "Well, how did you enjoy it, Leonora?" asked her aunt. "Oh! very much," said the girl. "I'm glad. Somehow, I thought you didn't," vaguely. "They are going to dance this evening. I can manage for you to see it, if you like to do so. Should you, Leonora?" "Oh! very much," said the girl again. CHAPTER XXII. It was a beautiful night, bright with moonlight and starlight, and sweet with balmy air and the breath of fragrant flowers. Leonora sat at the window and silently drank in the sweet influences of the balmy night. She would have liked to go out, but she did not suggest it, for fear of shocking her aunt. "Are there any old ruins about here, Aunt West, and any pretty scenery?" she inquired, presently. "Oh, yes; there are the old Abbey ruins, about two miles from here. They are very pretty and picturesque. Artists go there to sketch, and picnic parties to frolic. Devonshire is a very pretty place, anyhow. A great many people come here to make pictures." "So I have heard," said Leonora. "May I go there some day--to the Abbey, I mean--and make a picture, Aunt West?" "You, child? Can you sketch?" "A little," demurely. "Indeed I have some talent for it. I have drawn some little things good enough to sell." "Can you, really?" cried the housekeeper, in surprise. "Yes, indeed," said Leonora, smiling. "To-morrow I will unpack my trunks and show you some pictures I did last year--some in California, some in New York State, some in Virginia, and some in West Virginia." "All those places?" said Mrs. West. "Why, my dear, you must have traveled a great deal." "I have," Leonora answered, carelessly.