his bride home. He had, in spite of himself,
been somewhat impressed by his niece's behavior. She gave no sign of
disappointed greed or ambition, but she bore herself like one who has
been unjustly deprived of her rights.

On the night of the arrival every possible preparation had been made for
receiving the baronet and his wife. The servants, under the direction of
Mr. Frampton, the butler, were drawn up in stately array. The bells from
the old Norman church of Audleigh Royal pealed out a triumphant welcome;
flags and triumphal arches adorned the roadway. The Court was looking
its brightest and best; the grand old service of golden plate, from
which in olden times, kings and queens had dined, was displayed. The
rooms were made bright with flowers and warm with fires. It was a proud
coming home for Lady Darrell, who had never known what a home was
before. Her delicate face flushed as her eyes lingered on the splendor
around her. She could not repress the slight feeling of triumph which
made her heart beat and her pulse thrill as she remembered that this was
all her own.

She bowed right and left, with the calm, suave smile that never deserted
her. As she passed through the long file of servants she tried her best
to be most gracious and winning; but, despite her delicate, grave, and
youthful loveliness, they looked from her to the tall, queenly girl
whose proud head was never bent, and whose dark eyes had in them no
light of welcome. It might be better to bow to the rising sun, but many
of them preferred the sun that was setting.

Sir Oswald led his young wife proudly through the outer rooms into the
drawing-room.

"Welcome home, my dear Elinor!" he said. "May every moment you spend in
Darrell Court be full of happiness!"

She thanked him. Pauline stood by, not looking at them. After the first
careless glance at Lady Darrell, which seemed to take in every detail of
her costume, and to read every thought of her mind, she turned
carelessly away.

Lady Darrell sat down near the fire, while Sir Oswald, with tender
solicitude, took off her traveling-cloak, his hands trembling with
eagerness.

"You will like to rest for a few minutes before you go to your rooms,
Elinor," he said.

Then Miss Hastings went up to them, and some general conversation about
traveling ensued. That seemed to break the ice. Lady Darrell related one
or two little incidents of their journey, and then Sir Oswald suggested
that she should go to