their mother's sake, Lady Earle
carefully concealed all knowledge of it from them.

Lady Earle reached the Elms one evening in the beginning of September.
She asked first to see Dora alone.

During the long years Dora had grown to love the stately, gentle lady
who was Ronald's mother. She could not resist her sweet, gracious
dignity and winning manners. So, when Lady Earle, before seeing her
granddaughters, went to Dora's room, wishing for a long consultation
with her, Dora received her with gentle, reverential affection.

"I wish to see you first," said Lady Helena Earle, "so that we may
arrange our plans before the children know anything of them. Ronald
will return to England in a few months. Dora, what course shall you
adopt?"

"None," she replied. "Your son's return has nothing whatever to do
with me."

"But, surely," said lady Helena, "for the children's sake you will not
refuse at least an outward show of reconciliation?"

"Mr. Earle has not asked it," said Dora--"he never will do so, Lady
Helena. It is as far from his thoughts as from mine."

Lady Earle sat for some moments too much astounded for speech.

"I never inquired the cause of your separation, Dora," she said,
gently, "and I never wish to know it. My son told me you could live
together no longer. I loved my own husband; I was a devoted and
affectionate wife to him. I bore with his faults and loved his
virtues, so that I can not imagine what I should do were I in your
place. I say to you what I should say to Ronald--they are solemn
words--'What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put
asunder.' Now let me tell you my opinion. It is this, that nothing
can justify such a separation as yours--nothing but the most outrageous
offenses or the most barbarous cruelty. Take the right course, Dora;
submit to your husband. Believe me, woman's rights are all fancy and
nonsense; loving, gentle submission is the fairest ornament of woman.
Even should Ronald be in the wrong, trample upon all pride and temper,
and make the first advances to him."

"I can not," said Dora gravely.

"Ronald was always generous and chivalrous," continued Lady Earle.
"Oh, Dora, have you forgotten how my son gave up all the world for you?"

"No," she replied, bitterly; "nor has he forgotten it, Lady Earle."

The remembrance of what she thought her wrongs rose visibly before her.
She saw again the magnificent face of Valentine Charteris, with its
calm, high