I hope he will not fall
in love with her; it would only end in disappointment."

"He may like Lillian," said Lord Earle.

"Yes," assented Lady Helena. "Sweet Lily--she seems almost too pure
and fair for this dull earth of ours."

"If they both marry, mother," said Ronald, sadly, "we shall be quite
alone."

"Yes," she returned, "quite alone," and the words smote her with pain.
She looked at the handsome face, with its sad, worn expression. Was
life indeed all over for her son--at the age, too, when other men
sunned themselves in happiness, when a loving wife should have graced
his home, cheered and consoled him, shared his sorrows, crowned his
life with love? In the midst of his wealth and prosperity, how lonely
he was! Could it be possible that one act of disobedience should have
entailed such sad consequences? Ah, if years ago Ronald had listened
to reason, to wise and tender counsel--if he had but given up Dora and
married Valentine Charteris, how different his life would have been,
how replete with blessings and happiness, how free from care!

Lady Earle's eyes grew dim with tears as these thoughts passed through
her mind. She went up to him and laid her hand upon his shoulder.

"Ronald," she said, "I will do my best to make home happy after our
bonny birds are caged. For your sake, I wish things had been
different."

"Hush, mother," he replied gently. "Words are all useless. I must
reap as I have sown; the fruits of disobedience and deceit could never
beget happiness. I shall always believe that evil deeds bring their
own punishment. Do not pity me--it unnerves me. I can bear my fate."

Lady Helena was pleased to see Lionel again. She had always liked him,
and rejoiced now in his glorious manhood. He stood before the two
sisters, half dazzled by their beauty. The fair faces smiled upon him;
pretty, white hands were outstretched to meet his own.

"I am bewildered by my good fortune," he said. "I shall be the envy of
every man in London; people will no longer call me Lionel Dacre. I
shall be known as the cousin of 'Les Demoiselles Earle.' I have
neither brother nor sister of my own. Fancy the happiness of falling
into the midst of such a family group."

"And being made welcome there!" interrupted Beatrice. Lionel bowed
profoundly. At first he fancied he preferred this brilliant, beautiful
girl to her fair, gentle sister. Her frank, fearless talk delighted
him. After the general run