It may be that his
stern, sullen pride, his imperious self-will, his resolute
trampling upon the voice of nature and duty, confronted him in
the new light shining upon him. Perhaps his own words returned
to him, that until he lay dead Ronald should never see
Earlescourt again; for suddenly the voice they thought hushed
forever sounded strangely in the silence of that death chamber.
"My son!" cried the dying man, clasping his hands--"my son!"
Those who saw it never forgot the blank, awful terror that came
upon the dying face as he uttered his last words.
They bore the weeping wife from the room. Lady Earle, strong,
and resolute though she was, could not drive that scene from her
mind. She was ill for many days, and so it happened that the
lord of Earlescourt was laid in the family vault long ere the
family at the Elms knew of the change awaiting them.
Ronald was summoned home in all haste; but months passed ere
letters reached him, and many more before he returned to England.
Lord Earle's will was brief, there was no mention of his son's
name. There was a handsome provision for Lady Earle, the pretty
little estate of Roslyn was settled upon her; the servants
received numerous legacies; Sir Harry Laurence and Sir Hugh
Charteris were each to receive a magnificent mourning ring; but
there was no mention of the once-loved son and heir.
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