ondering eyes filled with tears. Beatrice, on the contrary, seemed
instantly to take in the spirit of the place. Her face flushed; a
proud light came into her glorious eyes; her haughty head was carried
more regally than ever. There was no timidity, no shyly expressed
wonder, no sensitive shrinking from new and unaccustomed splendor.

They were deeply impressed with the magnificence of their new home.
For many long days Lady Earle employed herself in showing the numerous
treasures of art and vertu the house contained. The picture gallery
pleased Beatrice most; she gloried in the portraits of the grand old
ancestors, "each with a story to his name." One morning she stood
before Lady Helena's portrait, admiring the striking likeness.
Suddenly turning to the stately lady by her side, she said: "All the
Ladies Earle are here; where is my own mamma? Her face is sweet and
fair as any of these. Why is there no portrait of her?"

"There will be one some day," said Lady Helena. "When your father
returns all these things will be seen to."

"We have no brother," continued Beatrice. "Every baron here seems to
have been succeeded by his son--who will succeed my father?"

"His next of kin," replied Lady Earle, sadly--"Lionel Dacre; he is a
third cousin of Lord Earle. He will have both title and estate."

She signed deeply; it was a real trouble to Lady Helena that she should
never see her son's son, never love and nurse, never bless the heir of
Earlescourt.

Lillian delighted most in the magnificent gardens, the thickly wild
wooded park, where every dell was filled with flowers and ferns, every
knoll crowned with noble trees. The lake, with white lilies sleeping
on its tranquil bosom and weeping willows touching its clear surface,
pleased her most of all. As they stood on its banks, Beatrice, looking
into the transparent depths, shuddered, and turned quickly away.

"I am tired of water," she said; "nothing wearied me so much at
Knutsford as the wide, restless sea. I must have been born with a
natural antipathy to water."

Many days passed before they were familiar with Earlescourt. Every day
brought its new wonders.

A pretty suite of rooms had been prepared for each sister; they were in
the western wing, and communicated with each other. The Italian nurse
who had come with them from Florence had preferred remaining with Dora.
Lady Earle had engaged two fashionable ladies' maids, had also ordered
for each a war