"Yes, it is quite a romance," laughed the earl. But neither he nor those with whom he spoke dreamed how that romance was to end in a tragedy.
The morning being fine, though cold, the earl asked them to visit the conservatories. By this time Doris had come down, and was ready to join them. While they were going through one of the large conservatories, Lady Doris suddenly caught sight of the Indian plant she had admired so much at Downsbury Castle—the plant with scarlet bells and sweet, subtle perfume. She hastened to it, and clasped a spray in her white hands.
"That is like the face of an old friend," she said.
"Why?" asked the earl, amused by the action.
"I saw some flowers like them at Downsbury Castle," she replied.
The earl looked keenly at her.
"Downsbury Castle!" he said. "I know the Duke of Downsbury. What took you there, Doris?"
"What takes half the world everywhere?" she replied. "Curiosity. I wanted so very much to see the interior of a castle, and to see if the people living there really led fairy lives."
"And what did you think?" he asked, still in the same voice.
"I liked it very much; but, papa, I like Linleigh Court better—it is more Italian, with sunshine and flowers everywhere."