rling rings of black hair fall as gracefully as
ever? Had the blushing dimpled face grown pale and still? And then,
chasing away all softened thought, came the remembrance of that hateful
garden scene. Ah, no, he could never forgive--he could not speak of
her even to these, her children! The two pictures were laid aside, and
no more was said of framing them.

Lord Earle said to himself, after his daughters had retired, that both
were charming; but, though he hardly owned it to himself, if he had a
preference, it was for brilliant, beautiful Beatrice. He had never seen
any one to surpass her. After Lady Helena had left him, he sat by the
fire dreaming, as his father long years ago had done before him.

It was not too late yet, he thought, to retrieve the fatal mistake of
his life. He would begin at once. He would first give all his
attention to his estate; it should be a model for all others. He would
interest himself in social duties; people who lamented his foolish,
wasted youth should speak with warm admiration of his manhood; above
all matters he dreamed of great things for his daughters, especially
Beatrice. With her beauty and grace, her magnificent voice, her frank,
fearless spirit, and piquant, charming wit, she would be a queen of
society; through his daughter his early error would be redeemed.
Beatrice was sure to marry well; she would bring fresh honors to the
grand old race ha had shamed. When the annals of the family told, in
years to come, the story of his mistaken marriage, it would be amply
redeemed by the grand alliance Beatrice would be sure to contract.

His hopes rested upon her and centered in her. As he sat watching the
glowing embers, there came to him the thought that what Beatrice was to
him he had once been to the father he was never more to see. Ah! If
his daughter should be like himself if she should ruin his hopes, throw
down the air castle he had built--should love unworthily, marry beneath
her, deceive and disappoint him! But no, it should not be--he would
watch over her. Lord Earle shuddered at the thought.

During breakfast on the morning following his return Lady Helena asked
what his plans were for the day--whether he intended driving the girls
over to Holte.

"No," said Lord Earle. "I wish to have a long conversation with my
daughters. We shall be engaged during the morning. After luncheon we
will go to Holte."

Ronald, Lord Earle, had made up his mind. In the