"She is so beautiful, mother," he said, "that I am sure you would
love her; she is as fair and sweet as she is modest and true. I
met her in the gardens some weeks ago, and I have met her every
day since."

Lord and Lady Earle exchanged a glance of dismay which did not
escape Ronald.

"Why have you not told us of this before?" asked his father,
angrily.

"I asked her to be my wife while you were from home," replied
Ronald. "She promised and I have only been waiting until our
guests left us and you had more time."

"Is it to see Dora Thorne that you have been out so constantly?"
asked Lady Earle.

"Yes, I could not let a day pass without seeing her," he replied;
"it would be like a day without sunshine."

"Does any one else know of this folly?" asked Lord Earle,
angrily.

"No, you may be quite sure, father, I should tell you before I
told any one else," replied Ronald.

They looked at him in silent dismay, vexed and amazed at what he
had done--irritated at his utter folly, yet forced to admire his