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Updated: July 5, 2025
She should be a queen, and he would be her knight. Ah! What thanks would he return to Heaven if so great a blessing should be his. Lord Airlie muttered something that was not a benediction when, on the morning following, Gaspar Laurence made his appearance at Earlescourt. "We can not receive visitors this morning," said Beatrice, half impatiently. "Mr.
He saw the gentle face, so full of deadly sorrow, with its white quivering lips; and yet he thought to himself, although she looked stricken with anguish, there was no guilt on the clear, fair brow. He turned back from the door and went straight to Lord Earle. "I shall leave Earlescourt tomorrow," he said, abruptly. "I must go, Lord Earle; do not press to stay."
Looking at her, Lady Helena believed there were years of life in store for Ronald's only child. There was much to talk about. Lord Earle told his mother how Hubert Airlie had gone home to Lynnton, unable to endure the sight of Earlescourt. He had never regained his spirits.
He did not say where he was going; indeed those who helped him said afterward that his face was fixed and pale, and that he moved about like one in a dream. Everything was arranged for Ronald's departure by the night mail from Greenfield, the nearest station to Earlescourt. He took with him neither horses nor servants; even his valet, Morton, was left behind.
"I have not asked you to keep my secret, Lily," said Beatrice, sorrowfully. "There is no need," was the simple reply. Sir Harry and Lady Laurence dined that day at Earlescourt, and it was nearly nine before the gentlemen, who did not sit long over their wine, came into the drawing room. The evening was somewhat chilly; a bright fire burned in the grate, and the lamps were lighted.
How came it that their father was lord of Earlescourt and their mother the daughter of a plain country farmer? For the first time it struck them both that there was some mystery in the life of their parents. Both grew more shy of speaking of the Elms, feeling with the keen instinct peculiar to youth that there was something unnatural in their position. Visitors came occasionally to Earlescourt.
The few guests who had returned to Earlescourt were men of note, and their host devoted himself to their entertainment. Lady Earle saw some great change in her son. She fancied that he spent a great deal of time out of doors. She asked him about it, wondering if he had taken to studying botany, for late and early he never tired of rambling in the park.
It came to her by slow degrees. Her father had married beneath him, and her mother had no home in the stately hall of Earlescourt. At first violent indignation seized her; then calmer reflection told her she could not judge correctly. She did not know whether Lord Earle had left his wife, or whether her mother had refused to live with him.
"Beatrice," wrote Hugh Fernely, "you must tell me with your own lips that you do not love me. You must tell me yourself that every sweet hope you gave me was a false lie. I will not leave Earlescourt again without seeing you. On Thursday night, at ten o'clock, I will be at the same place meet me, and tell me if you want your freedom. Hugh." "I shall win!" she cried.
"You must take your place in the world," continued Lady Earle. "You are no longer simply Mrs. Earle of the Elms; you are Lady Earle, of Earlescourt, wife of its lord, the mother of his children. You have duties too numerous for me to mention, and you must not shrink from them."
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