m.
Earlescourt became the center and home of famous hospitality; men of
letters, artists, and men of note visited there, and in time Lord Earle
became reconciled to his fate. All his hopes and his ambitions were
now centered in his son, Ronald, a fine, noble boy, like his father in
every respect save one. He had the same clear-cut Saxon face, with
clear, honest eyes and proud lips, the same fair hair and stately
carriage, but in one respect they differed. Lord Earle was firm and
inflexible; no one ever thought of appealing against his decision or
trying to change his resolution. If "my lord" had spoken, the matter
was settled. Even Lady Helena knew that any attempt to influence him
was vain. Ronald, on the contrary, could be stubborn, but not firm.
He was more easily influenced; appeal to the better part of his nature,
to his affection or sense of duty, was seldom made in vain.

No other children gladdened the Lord Earle's heart, and all his hopes
were centered in his son. For the second time in his life great hopes
and ambitions rose within him. What he had not achieved his son would
do; the honor he could no longer seek might one day be his son's.
There was something almost pitiful in the love of the stern,
disappointed man for his child. He longed for the time when Ronald
would be of age to commence his public career. He planned for his son
as he had never planned for himself.

Time passed on, and the heir of Earlescourt went to Oxford, as his
father had done before him. Then came the second bitter disappointment
of Lord Earle's life. He himself was a Tory of the old school.
Liberal principles were an abomination to him; he hated and detested
everything connected with Liberalism. It was a great shock when Ronald
returned from college a "full-fledged Liberal." With his usual
keenness he saw that all discussion was useless.

"Let the Liberal fever wear out," said one of his friends; "you will
find, Lord Earle, that all young men favor it. Conservatism is the
result of age and experience. By the time your son takes a position in
the world, he will have passed through many stages of Liberalism."

Lord Earle devoutly believed it. When the first shock of his
disappointment was over, Ronald's political zeal began to amuse him.
He liked to see the boy earnest in everything. He smiled when Ronald,
in his clear, young voice, read out the speeches of the chief of his
party. He smiled when the young man, e