CHAPTER VI.
As we drew near the house on our return, the first dinner-bell was ringing.
"We have twenty minutes yet," said Lance; "you will just have time to say a few words to Frances; she is sure to be in the drawing-room." We went there.

When the door was opened I saw a magnificent room--long, lofty and bright, so cheerful and light--with such beautiful furniture, and such superb hangings of white and gold.

I was struck as I had never been by any room before.

The long French windows, opening like glass doors, looked over a superb flower-garden, where flowers of every hue were now in blossom.
The room was full of sunlight; it faced the west, and the sun was setting.

For a few moments my eyes were dazzled; then as the golden haze cleared, I saw a tall figure at the other end of the room, a beautiful figure, dressed in a long robe of blue, with a crown of golden brown hair; when she turned suddenly to us, I saw that she carried some sprays of white hawthorn in her hand.