l he had ever
hoped for or dreamed of was centered in her. He set to work
deliberately and with all the ardor of his impetuous nature to win her
love.

At first she did not understand him; then by degrees he watched the
pure young heart awaken to consciousness. It was as pretty a
development of love as ever was witnessed. At the sound of his
footsteps or his voice the faint color flushed into her face, light
came into her eyes; and when he stood by her side, bending his handsome
head to read her secret, she would speak a word or two, and then hurry
away from him. If he wished to join her in her walks or rides, she
begged to be excused with trembling lips and drooping eyes.

She hardly knew herself what had come to her--why the world seemed
suddenly to have grown so fair--what made fresh luster in the sky
above. A vague, delicious happiness stirred in the gentle heart. She
longed for, yet half dreaded, Lionel's presence. When he was near her,
the little hands trembled and the sweet face grew warm and flushed.
Yet the measure of her content and happiness seemed full.

Lionel saw it all, and he wondered why such a precious treasure as the
love of this pure, innocent girl should be his. What had he ever done
to deserve it? Through her he began to respect all other women,
through her he began to value the high and holy teachings he had
hitherto overlooked. She was his ideal realized. If ever the time
should come for him to be disappointed in her, then he would believe
all things false--but it never could be.

How should he tell her of his love? It would be like trying to cage a
startled, timid bird. He stood abashed before her sweet innocence.

But the time came when he resolved to woo and win her--when he felt
that his life would be unbearable without her; and he said to himself
that sweet Lillian Earle should be his wife, or he would never look
upon a woman's face again.

Lionel felt some slight jealousy of Beatrice; he paid dearly enough for
it in the dark after-days. He fancied that she eclipsed Lillian. He
thought that if he spoke to Lord Earle of his love, he would insist
upon both marriages taking place on one day; and then his fair gentle
love would, as usual, be second to her brilliant sister.

"That shall never be," he said to himself. "Lillian shall have a
wedding day of her own, the honors unshared. She shall be the one
center of attraction."

He determined to say nothing to Lord Earle u