disposed toward you. I shall be so pleased to see you good
friends"

"I will try," she replied, cheerfully. "How beautiful she is,
Ronald! Tell me about her. You remember her face exactly;
should you remember mine as well?"

It was the first touch of jealousy stirring in the simple, loving
heart.

"Far better," said Ronald, with a smile; and then he looked up in
alarm, for Dora was weeping wildly, and clinging to him.

"Oh, Ronald!" she said, "for your sake I wish I was like her.
Shall you ever tire of me, or wish you had not married me?"

Ronald soothed and comforted his wife, and did not return to his
studio that day, but sat talking to her, telling her how noble
and good Valentine Charteris was.


Chapter XII

It is very seldom that a man of good disposition goes wrong
willfully. Ronald Earle would have felt indignant if any one had
accused him of dishonor or even neglect. He thought Dora enjoyed
herself more at home than in society, consequently he left her
there. Habits soon grow. The time came when he thought it was
the wiser course. He felt more at ease without her. If Dora by
chance accompanied him, he watched her anxiously, fearful lest