Lady Charteris detected the suppressed pain in the tone of her
child's voice, and instantly formed her plans.

"I think of returning tomorrow," she said. "Your father is
getting impatient to have us with him. He can not come to
Earlescourt himself. You say Mr. Earle is in a terrible dilemma,
Valentine. I hope there will be no scandalous expose while we
are here. I detest scenes."

"Lord Earle is far too proud for anything of that kind," said
Valentine. "If there should be any unpleasantness, it will not
appear on the surface. Mamma, you will not mention this to me
again."

Valentine threw off her lace shawl and pretty hat; she then took
up the book her mother had laid down.

"My walk has tired me," she said; "the sun is very warm."

She lay down upon the sofa and turned her face to the window,
where the roses came nodding in.

"Stay here and read," said lady Charteris, with delicate tact.
"I am going to write my letters."

Valentine lay still, looking at the summer beauty outside. No
one knew of the tears that gathered slowly in those proud eyes;
no one knew of the passionate weeping that could not be stilled.

When Lady Charteris returned in two hours, Valentine had regained