had Ronald known her? Why had he never told her of Miss
Charteris?

"Ah!" thought Dora, "if I could be like her!" And a sudden sense
of wonder struck her that Ronald had not loved and married this
fair and gracious lady.

Valentine neither forgot nor neglected her. She tried to draw
her into their conversation, but Dora replied so uneasily and so
briefly to all her remarks that she saw the truest kindness was
to leave her alone.

They spent a few hours pleasantly, and Lady Charteris would not
leave until Ronald promised to take his wife to spend a long day
with them.

"I can hardly promise for Dora," said Ronald, kindly; "she seldom
leaves home."

"Mrs. Earle will not refuse me," said Valentine, with that smile
which no one ever resisted. "She will come with you, and we will
make her happy."

When the day was settled, the ladies drove away, and Ronald
watched the carriage until it was out of sight.

"My dear Valentine," cried Lady Charteris when they were out of
hearing, "my dear child, what could possess Ronald Earle? What
could he see in that shy, awkward girl to induce him to give up
everything and go into exile for her sake? She is not even