"I must be beautiful," thought the girl, in her heart, "or he would never have noticed me."
Then she recalled her wandering thoughts. The sun was shining full upon them, and all its light seemed to be concentrated in a superb diamond that he wore on his left hand. No matter where she looked, her eyes seemed to be drawn to that stone; the fire of it was dazzling. Then her eyes wandered over the well-knit figure. What a difference dress made. Earle, in such garments as these, would look like a nobleman. Her attention was suddenly attracted.
"You do not answer me," he was saying.
She looked up at him.
"I beg your pardon," she said; "I was not really listening to you."
"I was telling you that I ought to have left the Castle three days ago, but I was determined that I would not leave until I had seen you. I do not know how I can tear myself away."
Again she blushed crimson. Could it be possible that he had stayed purposely to see her?
"I should rather think that you stayed to enjoy a little more of Lady Estelle's society," she said.
"Lady Estelle," he repeated. "You do not suppose that any one could find any pleasure in that perfect icicle."
"Icicle! I should never give her that name. She seemed to me, on the contrary, almost sentimental."