With sharp pain
the thought struck Lady Earle, "What must not Dora have suffered
to have changed her so greatly!" The sad eyes and worn face
touched her as no beauty could have done. She clasped Dora in
her arms and kissed her.
"You are my daughter now," she said, in that rich, musical voice
which Dora remembered so well. "We will not mention the past; it
is irrevocable. If you sinned against duty and obedience, your
face tells me you have suffered. What has come between you and
my son I do not seek to know. The shock must have been a great
one which parted you, for he gave up all the world for you, Dora,
years ago. We will not speak of Ronald. Our care must be the
children. Of course you wish them to remain with you?"
"While it is possible," said Dora, wearily. "I shall never leave
home again; but I can not hope to keep them here always."
"I should have liked to adopt them," said Lady Earle; "to take
them home and educate them, but--"
"Lord Earle will not permit it," interrupted Dora, calmly. "I
know--I do not wonder."
"You must let me do all I can for them here," continued Lady
Earle; "I have made all plans and arrangements.
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