The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dora Thorne, by Charlotte M. Braeme

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Title: Dora Thorne

Author: Charlotte M. Braeme

Posting Date: March 1, 2009 [EBook #2374]
Release Date: October, 2000

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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DORA THORNE

by

Charlotte M. Braeme

Chapter I

"The consequences of folly seldom end with its originator," said Lord
Earle to his son. "Rely upon it, Ronald, if you were to take this most
foolish and unadvisable step, you would bring misery upon yourself and
every one connected with you. Listen to reason."

"There is no reason in prejudice," replied the young man haughtily.
"You can not bring forward one valid reason against my marriage."

Despite his annoyance, a smile broke over Lord Earle's grave face.

"I can bring a thousand reasons, if necessary," he replied. "I grant
everything you say. Dora Thorne is very pretty; but remember, she is
quite a rustic and unformed beauty--and I almost doubt whether she can
read or spell properly. She is modest and good, I grant, and I never
heard one syllable against her. Ronald, let me appeal to your better
judgment--are a moderate amount of rustic prettiness and shy modesty
sufficient qualifications for your wife, who will have to take your
mother's place?"

"They are quite sufficient to satisfy me," replied the young man.

"You have others to consider," said Lord Earle, quickly.

"I love her," interrupted his son; and again his father smiled.

"We know what it means," he said, "when boys of nineteen talk about
love. Believe me, Ronald, if I were to consent to your request, you
would be the first in after years to reproach me for weak compliance
with your youthful folly."

"You would not call it folly," retorted Ronald, his face flushing
hotly, "if Dora were an heiress, or the daughter of some--"

"Spare me a long discourse," again interrupted Lord Earle. "You are
quite right; if the young girl in question belonged to your own
station, or even if she were near it, that would be quite a different
matter. I am not annoy