You have to make up
for fifteen years of absence. I think it will not be very
difficult to love you."
He seemed dazzled by her beauty--her frank, high spirit and
fearless words. Then he saw a golden head, with sweet, dove-like
eyes, raised to his.
"I am Lillian, papa," said a clear, musical voice. "Look at me,
please--and love me too."
He did both, charmed with the gentle grace of her manner, and the
fair, pure face. Then Lord Earle took both his children in his
arms.
"I wish," he said, in a broken voice and with tears in his eyes,
"that I had seen you before. They told me my little twin
children had grown into beautiful girls, but I did not realize
it."
And again, when she saw his proud happiness, Lady Helena longed
to plead for the mother of his children, that she might also
share in his love; but she dared not. His words haunted her.
Dora would be forgiven only in the hour of death.
Chapter XXII
The evening of his return was one of the happiest of Lord Earle's
life. He was charmed with his daughters. Lady Helena thought,
with a smile, that it was difficult to realize the relationship
between them.
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