above me as the sun shining overhead but, if you would try, you might
make me what you would. Could you like me?"

The sweet flushed face was raised to his; he read the happiness shining
in the clear eyes. But she could not speak to him; words seemed to die
upon her lips. Lionel took the little white hands and clasped them in
his own.

"I knew I should frighten you, Lily," he said, gently. "Forgive me if
I have spoken too abruptly. I do not wish you to decide at once. Take
me on trial--see if you can learn to love me weeks, months, or years
hence. I am willing to wait a whole life time for you, my darling, and
should think the time well spent. Will it be possible for you ever to
like me?"

"I like you now," she said, simply.

"Then promise to endeavor to love me," he persisted; "will you, Lily?
I will do anything you wish me; I will try my best to be half as good
as you are. Promise me, darling--my life hangs on your answer."

"I promise," she said; and he knew how much the words meant.

On the little hand that rested in his own he saw a pretty ring; it was
a large pearl set in gold. Lionel drew it from her finger.

"I shall take this, Lily," he said; "and, when Beatrice is married and
gone, I shall go to Lord Earle and ask him to give you to me. I will
not go now; we will keep our secret for a short time. Two love affairs
at once would be too much. You will learn to love me, and when the
spring time comes, perhaps you will make me happy as Beatrice will by
then have made Lord Airlie. I shall keep the ring. Lillian, you are
my pearl, and this will remind me of you. Just to make me very happy,
say you are pleased."

"I will say more than that," she replied, a happy smile rippling over
her face; "I have more than half learned my lesson."

He kissed the pretty hand, and looked at the fair, flushed face he
dared not touch with his lips.

"I can not thank you," he said, his voice full of emotion. "I will
live for you, Lily, and my life shall prove my gratitude. I begin to
wish the spring were nearer. I wonder if you will have learned your
lesson then."

Chapter XXXIV

Lord Airlie's return to Earlescourt had been delayed. The changes to
take place at Lynnton involved more than he thought. It was quite three
weeks before he could leave the Hall and seek again the presence he
loved best on earth.

Three weeks, yet nothing had happened. Beatrice had watched each day
begin and end until