Part 32 (1/2)

As he looked at the radiant figure a sense of wonder stole over him.

Could this magnificent beauty really be Dora's daughter--Dora who had stained her pretty hand with strawberry juice so many years ago?

He knew nothing of the details of the dress, he saw only the beautiful face and glorious eyes, the crowns of waving hair, the white, stately neck and exquisite arms. Before him was a gleam of pale pink satin, shrouded with lace so fine and delicate that it looked like a fairy web; and the Earle diamonds were not brighter than the dark eyes. They became the wearer well. They would have eclipsed a fair, faded beauty; they added radiance to Beatrice's.

”Where is Lillian?” he asked; and she knew from the tone of his voice how proud and satisfied he was.

”I am here, papa,” said a gentle voice. ”I wanted you to see Beatrice first.”

Lord Earle hardly knew which to admire the more. Lillian looked so fair and graceful; the pure, spiritual face and tender eyes had new beauty; the slender, girlish figure contrasted well with the stately dignity of Beatrice.

”I hope it will be a happy evening for you both,” he said.

”I feel sure it will for me,” said Beatrice, with a smile. ”I am thoroughly happy, and am looking forward to the ball with delight.”

Lord Earle smiled half sadly as he gazed at her bright face, wondering whether, in years to come, it would be clouded or shadowed.

”Will you dance, papa?” asked Beatrice, with a gleam of mischief in her dark eyes.

”I think not,” he replied; and Ronald Earle's thoughts went back to the last time he had ever danced--with Valentine Charteris. He remembered it well. Ah, no! All those pleasant, happy days were over for him.

Chapter XXIX

The dinner party was over, and carriage after carriage rolled up to the Hall; the rooms began to fill; there was a faint sound of music, a murmur of conversation and laughter.

”You have not forgotten your promise to me, Miss Earle?” said Lord Airlie. ”I am to have the first dance and the last, certainly, and as many more as you can spare.”

”I have not forgotten,” replied Beatrice. She was never quite at her ease with him, although she loved him better than any one else on earth. There was ever present with her the consciousness that she did so love him, and the wonder whether he cared for her.

They opened the ball, and many significant comments were made upon the fact. Gaspar Laurence was present. He was deeply engaged for more than two hours in making up his mind whether he should ask Beatrice to dance with him or not--she looked so beautiful, so far above him.

Gaspar could not help loving her--that was impossible; the first moment he saw her he was entranced. But his was a humble, hopeless kind of adoration. He would sooner have dreamed of wooing and winning a royal princess than of ever asking Beatrice to be his wife.

At length he summoned up courage, and was rewarded by a bright smile and kind words. Poor Gaspar! When the beautiful face was near him, and her hand rested on his shoulder, he thought he must be dreaming.

”There,” he said, when the dance was over; ”I shall not dance again. I should not like to lose the memory of that waltz.”

”Why not?” she asked, wonderingly.

”I must be candid with you,” said Gaspar, sadly. ”Perhaps my confession is a vain one; but I love you, Miss Earle--so dearly that the ground on which you stand is sacred to me.”

”That is not a very timid declaration,” said Beatrice with a smile.

”You are courageous, Mr. Laurence. I have only seen you three times.”

”It would make no difference,” said Gaspar, ”whether I had seen you only once, or whether I met you every day. I am not going to pain you, Miss Earle. Think kindly of me--I do not ask more; only remember that living in this world there is one who would stand between you and all peril--who would sacrifice his life for you. You will not forget?”

”I will not,” said Beatrice, firmly. ”Never could I forget such words.

I am willing to be your friend--I know how to value you.”

”I shall be happier with your friends.h.i.+p than with the love of any other woman,” said Gaspar, gratefully.