son why the marriage should be delayed; the June roses
were blooming then, and it was arranged that it should take place in
the month of August.

There were to be no grand festivities--no one had heart for them; the
wedding was to be quiet, attended only by a few friends; and Lord Earle
succeeded in obtaining a promise from Lionel which completely set his
heart at rest. It was that he would never seek another home--that he
and Lillian would consent to live at Earlescourt. Her father could not
endure the thought of parting with her.

"It will be your home, Lionel," he said, "in the course of after-years.
Make it so now. We shall be one family, and I think a happy one."

So it was arranged, much to everybody's delight. A few days before the
wedding took place, a letter came which seemed to puzzle Lord Earle
very much. He folded it without speaking, but, when breakfast was
over, he drew his wife's hand within his own.

"Dora," he said, "there will never be any secrets between us for the
future. I want you to read this letter--it is from Valentine Charteris
that was, Princess Borgezi that is. She is in England, at Greenoke,
and asks permission to come to Lillian's wedding; the answer must rest
with you, dear."

She took the letter from him and read it through; the noble heart of
the woman spoke in every line, yet in some vague way Dora dreaded to
look again upon the calm, grand beauty of Valentine's face.

"Have no fear, Dora, in saying just what you think," said her husband;
"I would not have our present happiness clouded for the world. One
word will suffice--if you do not quite like the thought, I will write
to her and ask her to defer the visit."

But Dora would not be outdone in magnanimity. With resolute force, she
cast from her every unworthy thought.

"Let her come, Ronald," she said, raising her clear, dark eyes to his.
"I shall be pleased to see her. I owe her some amends."

He was unfeignedly pleased, and so was every one else. Lady Helena
alone felt some little doubts as to Dora's capability of controlling
herself.

The Princess Borgezi was to come alone; she had not said at what hour
they might expect her.

Lady Dora had hardly understood why her thoughts went back so
constantly to her lost child. Beatrice had loved the beautiful,
gracious woman who was coming to visit them. It may have been that
which prompted her, on the day before Lillian's marriage, when the
house was alive with th