another woman's face. Do not step in between me and my love.
The world is wide, and you can choose where you will--do not rob
me of Dora Thorne."

There was a mournful dignity in the man's face that touched
Ronald.

"I am sorry for you," he said, "if you love Dora; for she will be
my wife."

"Never!" cried Ralph. "Since you will not listen to fair words,
I defy you. I will go to Eastham and never leave Dora again
until she will be my own."

High, angry words passed between them, but Ralph in his passion
had told the secret Ronald had longed to know--Dora was at
Eastham.

It was a sad story and yet no rare one. Love and jealousy robbed
the boy of his better sense; duty and honor were forgotten.
Under pretense of visiting one of his college friends, Ronald
went to Eastham. Lord and Lady Earle saw him depart without any
apprehension; they never suspected that he knew where Dora was.

It was a sad story, and bitter sorrow came from it. Word by word
it can not be written, but when the heir of Earlescourt saw Dora
again, her artless delight, her pretty joy and sorrow mingled,
her fear and dislike of Ralph, her love for himself drove all
thought of duty and honor from his mind. He prayed her to become
his wife secretly. He had said that when once they were married