Lady Mary came down the oak staircase singing.

The white draperies of her summer gown trailed softly on the wide steps, and in her hands she carried a quantity of roses.

A black ribbon was bound about her waist, and seemed only to emphasize the slenderness of her form.

Her brown hair was waved loosely above her brow; it was not much less abundant, though much less bright, than in her girlhood.

The freshness of youth had gone for ever; but her loveliness had depended less upon that radiant colouring which had once been hers than upon her clear-cut features, and exquisitely shaped head and throat.