his father would forgive them, and all would be well. He
believed what he said; Dora had no will but his. She forgot all
Lady Earle's warnings; she remembered only Ronald and his love.
So they were married in the quiet parish church of Helsmeer,
twenty miles from Eastham, and no human being either knew or
guessed their secret.

There was no excuse, no palliation for an act that was undutiful,
dishonorable, and deceitful--there was nothing to plead for him,
save that he was young, and had never known a wish refused.

They were married. Dora Thorne became Dora Earle. Ronald parted
from his pretty wife immediately. He arranged all his plans with
what he considered consummate wisdom. He was to return home, and
try by every argument in his power to soften his father and win
his consent. If he still refused, then time would show him the
best course. Come what might, Dora was his; nothing on earth
could part them. He cared for very little else. Even if the
very worst came, and his father sent him from home, it would only
be for a time, and there was Dora to comfort him.

He returned to Earlescourt, and though his eyes were never raised
in clear, true honesty to his father's face, Lord Earle saw that
his son looked happy, and believed the cloud had passed away.

Dora was to remain at Eastham until she heard from him. He could
not write to her, nor could she send one line to him; but he
promised and believed that very soon he should take her in all
honor to Earlescourt.