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Updated: July 5, 2025
She was no tragedy queen; she never said to herself that her life was blighted or useless or burdensome. But she did say that she would never marry until she found some one with Ronald's simple chivalry, his loyal, true nature, and without the weakness which had caused and would cause so much suffering. Lady Earle's boudoir was always considered one of the prettiest rooms at Earlescourt.
He would not leave Earlescourt; he would only love her the better for her steadfast truth. "Send Suzette away," she whispered to Beatrice, when she entered; "I must see you alone at once." Beatrice dismissed her maid, and then turned to her sister. "What is it, Lily?" she asked. "Your face is deathly pale. What has happened?"
"I forget all time when with you," he said; "it does not seem an hour since I came to Earlescourt." The morrow brought the letter she had dreaded yet expected to see. It was not filled with loving, passionate words, as was the first Hugh had written.
Once and for all, Ronald, I tell you that I decidedly forbid any mention of such a marriage; it is degrading and ridiculous. I forbid you to marry Dora Thorne; if you disobey me, you must bear the penalty." "And what would the penalty be?" asked the heir of Earlescourt, with a coolness and calmness that irritated the father. "One you would hardly wish to pay," replied the earl.
When dinner was over, Ronald proposed to Lord Earle that they should go out on the terrace and smoke a cigar there. Then took place the conversation with which our story opens, when the master of Earlescourt declared his final resolve. Ronald was more disturbed than he cared to own even to himself. Once the words hovered upon his lips that he had married Dora.
Knowing that every attention would be paid to his son's comfort, Lord Earle thought but little of the matter. In after years he bitterly regretted that he had not insisted upon his son's going to Greenoke. So it happened that Ronald Earle, his college career ended, his future lying like a bright, unruffled dream before him, had two weeks to spend alone in Earlescourt.
He did not look like a man who had found peace. Lady Charteris told him of her last visit to Earlescourt how his mother never ceased speaking of him, and his father still preserved the same rigid, unbending silence. "I have seen your picture," said Lady Charteris. "How well you remembered my daughter's face."
It was a short letter, written in the hurry of traveling; the words that touched his children most, were "I am glad you have the girls at Earlescourt; I am anxious to see what they are like. Make them happy, mother; let hem have all they want; and, if it be possible, after my long neglect, teach them to love me." The letter contained no mention of their mother; no allusion was made to her.
The next day Lady Charteris and her daughter left Earlescourt. Lord Earle gave no sign of the heavy blow which had struck him. He was their attentive host while they remained; he escorted them to their carriage, and parted from them with smiling words. Then he went back to the house, where he was never more to hear the sound of the voice he loved best on earth.
I thought nothing of your consent, but only of her; and I went to Earlescourt. My lord, I wrote to her, and my heart was in every line. She sent me a cold reply. I wrote again; I swore I would see her. She sent her sister to me with the reply. Then I grew desperate, and vowed I would lay my claim before you. I asked her to meet me out in the grounds, at night, unseen and unknown.
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