The doctors said
he might live to be a hale old man if he took proper precautions;
he must live quietly, avoid all excitement, and never dream again
of politics.
To Lord Earle this seemed like a sentence of exile or death. His
wife tried her utmost to comfort and console him, but for some
years he lived only to repine at his lot. Lady Helena devoted
herself to him. Earlescourt became the center and home of famous
hospitality; men of letters, artists, and men of note visited
there, and in time Lord Earle became reconciled to his fate. All
his hopes and his ambitions were now centered in his son, Ronald,
a fine, noble boy, like his father in every respect save one. He
had the same clear-cut Saxon face, with clear, honest eyes and
proud lips, the same fair hair and stately carriage, but in one
respect they differed. Lord Earle was firm and inflexible; no
one ever thought of appealing against his decision or trying to
change his resolution. If "my lord" had spoken, the matter was
settled. Even Lady Helena knew that any attempt to influence him
was vain. Ronald, on the contrary, could be stubborn, but not
firm.
Pages:
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34