ed the
fatal secret of her engagement to Hugh Fernely.

"I believe it," replied Lord Earle. "I can read truth in each face.
Now tell me--have no fear--have you any secret in that past life?
Remember, no matter what you may have done, I shall freely pardon it.
If you should be in any trouble or difficulty, as young people are at
times, I will help you. I will do anything for you, if you will trust
me."

And again Lillian raised her sweet face to his.

"I have no secret," she said, simply. "I do not think I know a secret,
or anything like one. My past life is an open book, papa, and you can
read every page in it."

"Thank Heaven!" said Lord Earle, as he placed his hand caressingly upon
the fair head.

It was strange, and he remembered the omission afterward, that he did
not repeat the question to Beatrice--he seemed to consider that
Lillian's answer included her. He did not know her heart was beating
high with fear.

"I know," he continued, gently, "that some young girls have their
little love secrets. You tell me you have none. I believe you. I have
but one word more to say. You will be out in the great world soon, and
you will doubtless both have plenty of admirers. Then will come the
time of trial and temptation; remember my words--there is no curse so
great as a clandestine love, no error so great or degrading. One of
our race was so cursed, and his punishment was great. No matter whom
you love and who loves you, let all be fair, honorable, and open as the
day. Trust me, do not deceive me. Let me in justice say I will never
oppose any reasonable marriage, but I will never pardon a clandestine
attachment.

"However dearly I might love the one who so transgressed," continued
Lord Earle, "even if it broke my heart to part from her, I should send
her from me at once; she should never more be a child of mine. Do not
think me harsh or unkind; I have weighty reasons for every word I have
uttered. I am half ashamed to speak of such things to you, but it must
be done. You are smiling, Lillian, what is it?"

"I should laugh, papa," she replied, "if you did not look so very
grave. We must see people in order to love them. Beatrice, how many
do we know in the world? Farmer Leigh, the doctor at Seabay, Doctor
Goode, who came to the Elms when mamma was ill, two farm laborers, and
the shepherd--that was the extent of our acquaintance until we came to
Earlescourt. I may now add Sir Henry Holt and Prince B