She is like a bright April
day, smiles and tears, sunshine and rain--so near together that
I never know whether I love her best weeping or laughing."
He paused, but Valentine did not speak; her hand still shaded her
face.
"I loved her very much," said Ronald, "and I told her so. I
asked her to be my wife, and she promised. When my father came
home from Greenoke I asked his consent, and he laughed at me. He
would not believe me serious. I need not tell you the details.
They sent my pretty Dora away, and some one who loved her--who
wanted to make her his wife--came, and quarreled with me. He
my rival--swore that Dora should be his. In his passion he
betrayed the secret so well kept from me. He told me where she
was, and I went to see her."
There was no movement in the quiet figure, no words passed the
white lips.
"I went to see her," he continued; "she was so unhappy, so pretty
in her sorrow and love, so innocent, so fond of me, that I forgot
all I should have remembered, and married her."
Valentine started then and uttered a low cry.
"You are shocked," said Ronald; "but, Miss Charteris, think of
her so young and gentle! They would have forced her to marry the
farmer, and she disliked him.
Pages:
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94