The most remote suspicion that Valentine had mistaken him--that
she loved him--never crossed the mind of Ronald Earle. He was
singularly free from vanity. Perhaps if he had a little more
confidence in himself, the story of the Earles might have been
different.

Lady Charteris looked at her daughter's calm, proud face. She
had noticed the little interview in the conservatory, and drew
her own conclusions from it. Valentine's face confirmed them
there was a delicate flush upon it, and a new light shone in the
lustrous eyes.

"You like Earlescourt?" said Lady Charteris to her daughter that
evening, as they sat in her drawing room alone.

"Yes, mamma, I like it very much," said Valentine.

"And from what I see," continued the elder lady, "I think it is
likely to be your home."

"Yes, I believe so," said Valentine, bending over her mother, and
kissing her. "Ronald has asked me to give him one half hour
tomorrow, and I am very happy, mamma."

For one so calm and stately, it was admission enough. Lady
Charteris knew, from the tone of her daughter's voice, that she
loved Ronald Earle.

Ronald slept calmly, half hoping that the end of his troubles was
drawing nigh. Valentine, whom his mother loved so well, would