"Out again, Ronald!" she said. "Sir Harry Laurence left his
adieus for you. I think the park possesses some peculiar
fascination. Have you been walking quickly? Your face is
flushed."

He made no reply, but drew near to his mother; he bent over her
and raised her hand to his lips.

"I am come to tell you something," he said. "Father, will you
listen to me? I ask your permission to marry Dora Thorne, one of
the fairest, sweetest girls in England."

His voice never faltered, and the brave young face never quailed.
Lord Earle looked at him in utter amazement.

"To marry Dora Thorne!" he said. "And who, in the name of
reason, is Dora Thorne?"

"The lodge keeper's daughter," replied Ronald, stoutly. "I love
her, father, and she loves me."

He was somewhat disconcerted when Lord Earle, for all reply,
broke into an uncontrollable fit of laughter. He had expected a
storm--expostulations, perhaps, and reproaches--anything but
this.

"You can not be serious, Ronald," said his mother, smiling.

"I am so much in earnest," he replied, "that I would give up all