his hopes and his ambitions were now centered in his son, Ronald,
a fine, noble boy, like his father in every respect save one. He
had the same clear-cut Saxon face, with clear, honest eyes and
proud lips, the same fair hair and stately carriage, but in one
respect they differed. Lord Earle was firm and inflexible; no
one ever thought of appealing against his decision or trying to
change his resolution. If "my lord" had spoken, the matter was
settled. Even Lady Helena knew that any attempt to influence him
was vain. Ronald, on the contrary, could be stubborn, but not
firm. He was more easily influenced; appeal to the better part
of his nature, to his affection or sense of duty, was seldom made
in vain.

No other children gladdened the Lord Earle's heart, and all his
hopes were centered in his son. For the second time in his life
great hopes and ambitions rose within him. What he had not
achieved his son would do; the honor he could no longer seek
might one day be his son's. There was something almost pitiful
in the love of the stern, disappointed man for his child. He
longed for the time when Ronald would be of age to commence his
public career. He planned for his son as he had never planned
for himself.

Time passed on, and the heir of Earlescourt went to Oxford, as
his father had done before him. Then came the second bitter
disappointment of Lord Earle's life. He himself was a Tory of
the old school. Liberal principles were an abomination to him;
he hated and detested everything connected with Liberalism. It
was a great shock when Ronald returned from college a "full-
fledged Liberal." With his usual keenness he saw that all