"You were naturally a little vexed with me because I had carried off the prize for which your lovely daughter competed," Liane murmured bashfully.
"Yes, and I was wickedly unjust. You deserved the prize. Roma, with all her gifts of birth and fortune, is not one-half so beautiful as you, Liane Lester, the poor girl," cried Mrs. Clarke warmly. "Do you know I am quite proud that my husband says you resemble me in my girlhood; but, to be frank, I am sure I was never half so pretty."
Liane blushed with delight at her kindness, and bashfully told her of her meeting on the beach with Mr. Clarke, when he had impulsively called her Elinor.
"He told me then that I greatly resembled his wife!" she added, gazing admiringly at the still handsome woman, and feeling proud in her heart to look like her, so strangely was her heart interested.
Mrs. Clarke could not help saying, so greatly were her feelings changed toward Liane:
"My husband admires you greatly; did you know it? He wishes to befriend you, making you an honored member of our household. I believe he would permit me to adopt you as a daughter, so strong will be his gratitude for your act of to-day."
"Oh, madam!" faltered Liane, in grateful bewilderment, feeling that she could be very happy with these kind people, only for proud, willful Roma, and she added:
"Your handsome daughter would not want me as a sister!"
Mrs. Clarke hesitated, then answered reassuringly: