as much as she was capable of liking any one.

She was no tragedy queen, but a loving, affectionate girl, unable
to reach the height of passionate love, or the depth of despair.
She was well disposed toward Ronald--Lady Earle spoke so much of
him at Greenoke. She knew too that a marriage with him would
delight her mother.

Valentine's favorable impression of Ronald was deepened when she
saw him. Despite the one great act of duplicity which shadowed
his whole life, Ronald was true and honorable. Valentine admired
his clear Saxon face and firm lips; she admired his deep bright
eyes, that darkened with every passing emotion; she liked his
gentle, chivalrous manner, his earnest words, his deferential
attention to herself, his affectionate devotion to Lady Earle.

There was not a braver or more gallant man in England than this
young heir of Earlescourt. He inherited the personal beauty and
courage of his race. He gave promise of a splendid manhood; and
no one knew how proudly Lord Earle had rejoiced in that promise.

In her calm stately way, Valentine liked him; she even loved him,
and would have been happy as his wife. She enjoyed his keen,
intellectual powers and his originality of thought. Even the
"dreadful politics," that scared and shocked his father, amused
her.

Ronald, whose heart was full of the pretty little wife he dared
neither see nor write to, gave no heed to Valentine's manner; it
never occurred to him what construction could be put upon his