imply of one's own world."

In all her talk one can see her thought and consideration for Lord
Merrenden and his wishes and tastes.

"I always feel it is so cruel for him, our having no children," she said.
"The earldom becomes extinct, so I must make him as happy as I can."

What a dear and just woman!

At last we spoke of Robert, and she told me stories of his boyhood,
amusing Eton scrapes, and later feats. And how brave and splendid he had
been in the war; and how the people all adored him at Torquilstone; and of
his popularity and influence with them. "You must make him go into
Parliament," she said.

Then Robert came into the room. Oh, his darling face spoke, there was no
need for words. The duke, one could see, had been obdurate.

"Well," said Lady Merrenden.

Robert came straight over to me and took my face in his two hands.
"Darling," he said, "before everything I want you to know I love you
better than anything else in the world, and nothing will make any
difference," and he kissed me deliberately before his aunt. His voice was
so moved, and we all felt a slight lump in our throats I know; then he
stood in front of us, but he held my hand.

"Torquilstone was horrid, I can see," said Lady Merrenden. "What did he
say, Robert? Tell us everything. Evangeline would wish it too, I am sure,
as well as I."

Robert looked very pale and stern; one can see how firm his jaw is in
reality, and how steady his dear, blue eyes.

"I told him I loved Evangeline, whom I understood he had met yesterday,
and that I intended to marry her."

"And he said?" asked Lady Merrenden, breathless.

I only held tighter Robert's hand.

"He swore like a trooper, he thumped his glass down on the table and
smashed it--a disgusting exhibition of temper--I was ashamed of him. Then
he said never, as long as he lived and could prevent it; that he had heard
something of my infatuation, so as I am not given that way he had made
inquiries, and found the family was most unsatisfactory. Then he had come
here yesterday on purpose to see you--darling," turning to me, "and that
he had judged for himself. The girl was a 'devilish beauty' (his words,
not mine), with the naughtiest, provoking eyes, and a mouth--No, I can't
say the rest, it makes me too mad," and Robert's eyes flashed.

Lady Merrenden rose from her seat and came and took my other hand. I felt
as if I could not stand too tall and straight.

"The long and short of it is, he has a