CHAPTER XXII.
The evening of his return was one of the happiest of Lord Earle's life.
He was charmed with his daughters.

Lady Helena thought, with a smile, that it was difficult to realize the relationship between them.
Although her son looked sad and care-worn, he seemed more like an elder brother than the father of the two young girls.
There was some little restraint between them at first.

Lord Earle seemed at a loss what to talk about; then Lady Helena's gracious tact came into play.

She would not have dinner in the large dining room, she ordered it to be served in the pretty morning room, where the fire burned cheerfully and the lamps gave a flow of mellow light.

It was a picture of warm, cozy English comfort, and Lord Earle looked pleased when he saw it.
Then, when dinner was over, she asked Beatrice to sing, and she, only pleased to show Lord Earle the extent of her accomplishments, obeyed.
Her superb voice, with its clear, ringing tones, amazed him.