was living somewhere in Italy. To Lord Earl it seemed that his
life was ended; he had no further plans, ambition died away; the
grand purpose of his life would never be fulfilled.

Lady Earle said nothing of the trouble that had fallen upon her.
She hoped against hope that the time would come when her husband
would pardon their only son. Valentine Charteris bore her
disappointment well. She never forgot the simple, chivalrous man
who had clung to her friendship and relied so vainly upon her
influence.

Many lovers sighed round Valentine. One after another she
dismissed them. She was waiting until she saw some one like
Ronald Earle--like him in all things save the weakness which had
so fatally shadowed his life.


Chapter IX

In a small, pretty villa, on the banks of the Arno, Ronald Earle
established himself with his young wife. He had gone direct to
Eastham, after leaving Earlescourt, his heart aching with sorrow
for home and all that he had left there, and beating high with
joy at the thought that now nothing stood between him and Dora.
He told her of the quarrel--of his father's stern words--and
Dora, as he had foreseen clung round his neck and wept.

She would love him all the more, she said. She must love him
enough to make up for home and every one else.