Conquer
yourself, my son, and pardon Dora."
"I could more easily die," he replied, bitterly.
"Then," said Lady Earle, sorrowfully, "I must say to you as I
said to Dora--beware; pride and temper must bend and break. Be
warned in time."
"Mother," interrupted Ronald, bending over the pale face so full
of emotion, "let this be the last time. You distress yourself
and me; do not renew the subject. I may forgive her in the hour
of death--not before."
Lady Helena's last hope died away; she had thought that in the
first hour of his return, when old memories had softened his
heart, she would prevail on him to seek his wife whom he had
ceased to love, and for their children's sake bring her home. She
little dreamed that the coming home, the recollection of his
father, the ghost of his lost youth and blasted hopes rising
every instant, had hardened him against the one for whom he had
lost all.
"You will like to see the children now," said Lady Helena. "I
will ring for lights. You will be charmed with both. Beatrice
is much like you--she has the Earle face, and, unless I am
mistaken, the Earle spirit, too.
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