“That will not interest him,” she said; “his life is so different.”  A strange sensation of uneasiness came over her as she remembered how different it was.  So she wrote a letter full of commonplaces, and when Allan Lyster read it he bit his lips in fierce, hot anger.

“She is learning not to care for me already,” he said.  “She has never written so coldly to me before.”

Adelaide bade him to be of good cheer.

“I shall go to the castle at Christmas,” she said, “and, rely upon it, Allan, I will find an opportunity of sending for you.  You need not be anxious; there is no possible plea on which she can escape you now.  If you will take my advice you will not draw the chain too tightly; let her feel that she is free.”

Allan took her advice.  He did not persecute her with letters; he wrote, and filled his pages with love and flattery so sweet it could not tease her.

And then when Christmas came around Adelaide filled the grand purpose of her life—­she went to Thorpe Castle.  Her behavior there might have been taken as a model.  She was quite sure of Marion’s affection, so she devoted herself entirely to Lady Ridsdale; she waited upon her, she solicited her advice, she administered to her the most delicate doses of flattery.  In short, she set herself to work to win Lady Ridsdale’s heart; but she did not succeed.

The mistress of Thorpe Castle did not like Miss Lyster; she merely tolerated her, and that was for Marion’s sake.  With Lord Ridsdale she succeeded better.  Her subtle flattery and constant attentions made some impression on him.  He told his wife that Miss Lyster was a very amiable girl, and he hoped she would often pass her vacation at Thorpe Castle.  My lady smiled suavely, and made no reply.

Adelaide wrote to her brother that he had no cause for fear.

“The first morning of my arrival,” she said, “Marion took me to her room, and we had a long talk about you.  Have no fear; she is quite true to you, and I have a scheme in my mind for getting you invited to the castle.”

One morning when Lady Ridsdale and Miss Arleigh were engaged with visitors Adelaide asked if she might go through the picture-gallery.  Lord Ridsdale, flattered by the request, offered to go with her and show her some of his especial favorites.

Miss Lyster was all enthusiasm, and she was tolerably well acquainted with the first principles of art.  She made some remarks that pleased and interested his lordship.  Then she was quite silent for some minutes, and afterward sighed deeply.  Lord Ridsdale looked at her.  The sigh had been such a profound one that he could not help taking some notice of it.

“Are you tired?” he asked.

“No,” she replied.  “You are so kind, Lord Ridsdale, that I may tell you of what I was thinking.  I was wishing that this great privilege I now enjoy could be given to my brother instead of me.”

Lord Ridsdale looked benevolently interested, and she continued: