"
"And why?" asked Lady Helena, gravely.
A proud flush rose to Dora's face--hot anger stirred in her
heart.
"Because your son said words to me that I never can and never
will forget," she cried. "I did wrong--Lady Helena, I was mad,
jealous, blind--I did wrong--I did what I now know to be
dishonorable and degrading. I knew no better, and he might have
pardoned me, remembering that. But before the woman I believe to
be my rival he bitterly regretted having made me his wife."
"They were hard words," said Lady Earle.
"Very hard," replied Dora; "they broke my heart--they slew me in
my youth; I have never lived since then."
"Can you never forgive and forget them, Dora?" asked Lady Helena.
"Never," she replied; "they are burned into my heart and on my
brain. I shall never forget them; your son and I must be
strangers, Lady Earle, while we live."
"I can say no more," sighed Lady Earle. "Perhaps a mightier
voice will call to you, Dora, and then you will obey."
A deep silence fell upon them. Lady Helena was more grieved and
disconcerted than she cared to own. She had thought of taking
her son's wife and children home in triumph, but it was not to
be.
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