"Mamma," said Valentine, gently, "all I said to you last night
about Earlescourt was a great mistake--it will never be my home.
My vanity misled me."

"Have you quarreled with Ronald?" asked Lady Charteris, quietly.

"No," was the calm reply. "We are excellent friends but, mamma,
I was mistaken. He did want to tell me something, but it was of
his love for some one else--not for me."

"He has behaved shamefully to you!" cried Lady Charteris.

"Hush, mamma!" said Valentine. "You forget how such words
humiliate me. I have refused men of far better position that
Ronald Earle. Never let it be imagined that I have mistaken his
intentions."

"Of course not," said her mother. "I only say it to yourself,
Valentine; he seemed unable to live out of your sight--morning,
noon, and night he was always by your side."

"He only wanted me to be his friend," said Valentine.

"Ah, he is selfish, like all the men!" said Lady Charteris.
"With whom has he fallen in love, my dear?"

"Do not ask me," replied Valentine. "He is in a terrible
dilemma. Do not talk to me about it, mamma. I made a foolish
mistake, and do not wish to be reminded of it."