Invitations came for a royal ball, and it was remarked by all present that the whole of the royal circle seemed to look upon the proud young beauty with great favor. Then came invitations to a royal concert. One of the young princesses, whose marriage was then on the tapis, declared that she would have the Lady Doris on the list of her bridesmaids. No fete was considered a success without her—a ball without Lady Studleigh was almost a failure.
"That girl has homage enough paid her to turn her head," said the earl, laughingly, to his wife.
The countess sighed.
"My dear Ulric," she said, "I think it would require a great deal to move either her heart or her head; both seem to me equally safe."
"You always sigh when you speak of Doris. Why is it, dear?" asked Lord Linleigh.
"I cannot help wishing that she had less beauty and more love," she replied. "There are many perils in this world—perils of soul and of body—but I think the greatest of all is certainly the perils of beauty."
"I think you are right," observed the earl; "but we must hope, having escaped so far, she will escape the rest."
CHAPTER LX.
DORIS AFFECTS A LITTLE CURIOSITY.
"You are not looking quite so well as usual this morning, Doris," said Lady Linleigh. "You are nervous, too; you start at every sound. What is wrong, dear?"