UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ELMS Her head full of romantic nonsense! Well! perhaps that was the true keynote of Sue's character; perhaps, too, it was that same romantic temperament which gave such peculiar charm to her personality.

It was not mere beauty--of which she had a plentiful share--nor yet altogether her wealth which attracted so many courtiers to her feet.

Men who knew her in those days at Acol and subsequently at Court said that Lady Sue was magnetic.
She compelled attention, she commanded admiration, through that very romanticism of hers which caused her eyes to glow at the recital of valor, or sorrow, or talent, which caused her to see beauty of thought and mind and character there where it lay most deeply hidden, there--sometimes--where it scarce existed.
The dark figure of her guardian's secretary had attracted her attention from the moment when she first saw him moving silently about the house and park: the first words she spoke to him were words of sympathy.

His life-story--brief and simple as it had been--had interested her.

He seemed so different from these young and old country squires who frequented Acol Court.