mine--my own," he whispered, "until death; say so, Beatrice."

"I am yours," she said, "even in death."

It was a stolen half hour, but so full of happiness that it could never
fade from memory.

"I must go," said Beatrice, at length, unclasping the firm hand that
held her own. "Oh, Lord Airlie, how am I to meet all my friends? Why
did you not wait until tomorrow?"

"I could not," he said; "and you perhaps would not then have been so
kind."

He loved her all the more for her simplicity. As they left the garden,
Lord Airlie gathered a white rose and gave it to Beatrice. Long
afterward, when the leaves had become yellow and dry, the rose was
found.

They remained in the conservatory a few minutes, and then went back to
the ball room.

"Every waltz must be mine now," said Lord Airlie. "And, Beatrice, I
shall speak to Lord Earle tonight. Are you willing?"

Yes, she was willing. It was very pleasant to be taken possession of
so completely. It was pleasant to find a will stronger than her own.
She did not care how soon all the world knew that she loved him. The
only thing she wondered at was why he should be so unspeakably happy.

Chapter XXX

Beatrice never recollected how the ball ended; to her it was one long
trance of happiness. She heard the music, the murmur of voices, as
though in a dream. There were times when everything seemed brighter
than usual--that was when Lord Airlie stood by her side. Her heart was
filled with unutterable joy.

It was strange, but in that hour of happiness she never even thought of
Hugh Fernely; the remembrance of him never once crossed her mind.
Nothing marred the fullness of her content.

She stood by Lord Earle's side as guest after guest came up to say
adieu. She saw Lord Airlie waiting for her father.

"Lord Earle will be engaged for some time, I fear," he said; "I must
see him tonight. Beatrice, promise me you will not go to rest until
your father has given us his consent."

She could not oppose him. When girls like Beatrice Earle once learn to
love, there is something remarkable in the complete abandonment of
their will. She would fain have told him, with gay, teasing words,
that he had won concession enough for one night; as it was, she simply
promised to do as he wished.

Lord Earle received the parting compliments of his guests, wondering at
the same time why Lord Airlie kept near him and seemed unwilling to
lose sight of him. The happy momen