of flowers--who
could? As for fetes, I have seen few, and have liked each one better
than the last."

"Perhaps your life has not been, like mine, spent among them," he said.

"I have lived among flowers," she replied, "but not among fetes; they
have all the charm of novelty for me."

"I should like to enjoy them as you do," he said. "I wish you would
teach me, Miss Earle."

She laughed gayly, and the sound of that laugh, like a sweet, silvery
chime, charmed Lord Airlie still more.

He found out the prettiest pleasure boat, and persuaded Beatrice to let
him row her across the lake. He gathered a beautiful water lily for
her. When they landed, he found out a seat in the prettiest spot and
placed her there.

Her simple, gay manner delighted him. He had never met any one like
her. She did not blush, or look conscious, or receive his attentions
with the half-fluttered sentimental air common to most young ladies of
his acquaintance.

She never appeared to remember that he was Lord Airlie, nor sought by
any artifice to keep him near her. The bright, sunny hours seemed to
pass rapidly as a dream. Long before the day ended, the young earl
said to himself that he had met his fate; that if it took years to win
her he would count them well spent that in all the wide world she was
the wife for him.

Lord Earle was somewhat amused by the solicitude the young nobleman
showed in making his acquaintance and consulting his tastes. After
Lady Downham's fete he called regularly at the house. Lady Helena
liked him, but could hardly decide which of her grandchildren it was
that attracted him.

The fastidious young earl, who had smiled at the idea of love and had
disappointed half the fashionable mothers in Belgravia, found himself a
victim at last.

He was diffident of his own powers, hardly daring to hope that he
should succeed in winning the most beautiful and gifted girl in London.
He was timid in her presence, and took refuge with Lillian.

All fashionable London was taken by surprise when Lord Airlie threw
open his magnificent house, and, under the gracious auspices of his
aunt, Lady Lecomte, issued invitations for a grand ball.

Many were the conjectures, and great was the excitement. Lord Earle
smiled as he showed Lady Helena the cards of invitation.

"Of course you will go," he said. "We have no engagement for that day.
See that the girls look their best, mother."

He felt very proud of his daughters--Li