"No," said Stella, "I am very glad to come. I would have come before, but I did not know whether I might."
"I have been waiting, and did not like to send for you," said Lady Lilian, "and have you had a pleasant evening?"
Stella sank into a low seat beside the couch, and looked up into the lovely face with a smile.
"I have had a wonderful evening!" she said.
Lady Lilian looked at her inquiringly.
"Wonderful," said Stella, frankly. "You see I have never been in such a place as this before; it all seems so grand and beautiful—more beautiful than grand indeed, that I can scarcely believe it is real."
"It is real—too real," said Lady Lilian, with a smile and a little sigh. "I daresay you think it is very nice, and I—do you know what I think?"
Stella shook her head.
"I think, as I look down at your little cottage, how beautiful, how nice your life must be."
"Mine!" said Stella. "Well, yes, it is very nice. But this is wonderful."