lunch.

A feeling of something like blank despair seized Valentine when
she thought of what she must say to her other. As she remembered
their few words the previous evening, her face flushed hotly.

"I can never thank you enough for your kind patience," said
Ronald, as they walked back through the shady park and the bright
flower gardens.

Valentine smiled and raised her fact to the quiet summer sky,
thinking of the hope that had been hers a few short hours before.

"You will go at once and see your father, will you not?" she said
to Ronald, as they parted.

"I am going now," he replied; but at that very moment Lady Earle
came up to him.

"Ronald," she said, "come into my boudoir. Your father is there
he wants to see you before he goes to Holtham."

Valentine went straight to her mother's room. Lady Charteris sat
waiting for her, beguiling the time with a book. She smiled as
her daughter entered.

"I hope you have had a pleasant walk," she said; but both smile
and words died away as she saw the expression on her daughter's
face, as she bent over her mother.