"There will be no time to tell my father just at present," said
Ronald; "so, Dora, we must keep our secret. It will not do to
tell your father before I tell mine."
They arranged to keep the secret until Lord Earle should be alone
again. They were to meet twice every day--in the early morning,
while the dew lay on the grass, and in the evening, when the Hall
would be full of bustle and gayety.
Ronald felt guilty--he hardly knew how or why--when his father
commiserated him for the two lonely weeks he had spent. Lonely!
He had not felt them so; they had passed all too quickly for him.
How many destinies were settled in that short time!
There was little time for telling his secret to Lord Earle. The
few guests who had returned to Earlescourt were men of note, and
their host devoted himself to their entertainment.
Lady Earle saw some great change in her son. She fancied that he
spent a great deal of time out of doors. She asked him about it,
wondering if he had taken to studying botany, for late and early
he never tired of rambling in the park. She wondered again at
the flush that crimsoned his face; but the time was coming when
she would understand it all.
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