"I cannot explain the word, papa, if you cannot understand it by instinct. Earle would if he were here. I liked her very much; but she puzzled me; her face kept changing color: she was proud, yet familiar; haughty, yet gentle. She talked to me about love and marriage, just as Mattie would have talked."
"Poor Estelle!" murmured the earl; then he said aloud: "How would Mattie have talked? Give me an example."
"My lord!" cried Mrs. Brace, in alarm, "I am quite sure that Mattie never said a wrong thing in her life."
"I am equally sure of it," said the earl, kindly.
"Mattie, like Lady Estelle, has great notions, papa—duty and all those disagreeable things were first."
"That is right," said the earl. Even to himself he did not own how the introduction of Lady Estelle's name had startled him.
Doris hastened on among the flowers. Lord Linleigh lingered behind, while he said to Mark and his wife:
"You are tenants of the Duke of Downsbury, are you not?"
"Yes," replied Mark.
"Then I do not mind telling you, in all confidence, that you will probably hear or read something about Lady Hereford and myself which will please you."