is so fair and good, so well fitted to be the future mistress of
Earlescourt. Can you not love her?"

"Nothing was further from my thoughts," he replied.

"Surely," interrupted Lady Earle, "you have forgotten the idle,
boyish folly that angered your father some time since--that can
not be your reason?"

"Hush, mother," said Ronald, standing erect and dauntless; "I was
coming to tell you my secret when you met me. Father, I deceived
and disobeyed you. I followed Dora Thorne to Eastham, and
married her there."

A low cry came from Lady Earle's lips. Ronald saw his father's
face grow white--livid--with anger; but no word broke the awful
silence that fell upon them. Hours seemed to pass in the space
of a few minutes.

"You married her," said Lord Earle, in a low, hoarse voice,
"remembering what I said?"

"I married her," replied Ronald, "hoping you would retract hard,
cruel words that you never meant. I could not help it, father;
she has no one but me; they would have forced her to marry some
one she did not like."

"Enough," interrupted Lord Earle. "Tell me when and where. Let
me understand whether the deed is irrevocable or not."