timid.

"You told me these lilies were your favorite flowers," she said.

"Yes," replied Ronald; "but they are not the flowers that
resemble you." He was thinking how much simple, loving Dora was
like the pretty delicate little blossoms. "You are like the tall
queenly lilies."

He paused, for Valentine was looking at him with a wondering
smile.

"Do you know you have paid me two compliments in less than five
minutes?" she said. "And yesterday we agreed that between true
friends they were quite unnecessary."

"I--I did not intend to pay idle compliments," he replied. "I
merely said what I thought. You are like a tall, grand, white
lily, Miss Charteris. I have often thought so. If you will not
dance with me again, will you walk through the rooms?"

Many admiring glances followed them--a handsomer pair was seldom
seen. They passed through the long suite of rooms and on to the
conservatory, where lamps gleamed like stars between the green
plants and rare exotics.

"Will you rest here?" said Ronald. "The ball room is so crowded
one can not speak there."

"Ah," thought Miss Charteris, "then he really has something to