t glancing at her husband. She was, to all appearance, calm; but
the heaving chest showed how the proud heart was still beating fast,
whilst he shook in every limb, like an aged tree, over which a storm had
passed. He gazed intently upon her, as in her presence he ever did, and
at last, seeming irritated at her silence, he said, in a voice tremulous
with passion--"Remember, Lady Randolph, that however bitterly you hate
me, I will have none of it reflected back upon my niece. Lilias Randolph
must find here a home, and a happy one. I will have it so: and no unkind
treatment of yours must render it otherwise."

"I do not wonder you should fear that I may have learned in _this_ house
the exercise of petty tyranny, and the punishing of the innocent for the
crimes of others; but we do not easily learn that which is against our
nature, and I think experience may tell you that your lessons have
failed. Is there one of the Randolphs now located in this house who can
complain of me, in any way whatsoever?"

He was glad that the sound of approaching footsteps prevented the
necessity of an answer. Both turned to the door to greet Lilias
Randolph.

She came in like a very sunbeam, all light and peace, dispersing, as it
were, by her presence, the storm of angry passions that had been raging
there. Both of them were disposed to meet her with preconceived
animosity, but they were at once disarmed by the serene purity of her
aspect. The large candid eyes, with their timid glance, half shy, half
free, so like a young fawn; the sweet face, glowing beneath the soft
hair, with a faint blush of diffidence; the whole atmosphere of
innocence, and hope, and loving kindness towards all men, which seemed
to be around her, had power to stir long silent depths in both those
seared and angry hearts; the bitter strife, whose cause and results had
become magnified to their distorted vision, to an importance which
nothing on this fleeting earth could really merit, almost melted away
before _her_ presence, who seemed prepared to walk through life in such
joyousness and singleness of heart, with eyes that could see nothing but
beauty, and a mind that could perceive only goodness. Lady Randolph came
forward, and took her hand with a degree of politeness which Sir Michael
knew to be a most unwonted act of condescension, but which to the
sunny-hearted Lilias seemed to be a very cold, repulsive welcome. She
looked up with her clear eyes to the proud, hands