"
"I never told a lie in my life," said Lillian, proudly. "My
mother taught us to love the truth."
"And you, my Beatrice?" he asked, gently as he turned to the
beautiful face half averted from him.
"I can say with my sister," was the haughty reply, "I have never
told a lie."
Even as she spoke her lips grew pale with fear, as she remembered
the fatal secret of her engagement to Hugh Fernely.
"I believe it," replied Lord Earle. "I can read truth in each
face. Now tell me--have no fear--have you any secret in that
past life? Remember, no matter what you may have done, I shall
freely pardon it. If you should be in any trouble or difficulty,
as young people are at times, I will help you. I will do
anything for you, if you will trust me."
And again Lillian raised her sweet face to his.
"I have no secret," she said, simply. "I do not think I know a
secret, or anything like one. My past life is an open book,
papa, and you can read every page in it."
"Thank Heaven!" said Lord Earle, as he placed his hand
caressingly upon the fair head.
It was strange, and he remembered the omission afterward, that he
did not repeat the question to Beatrice--he seemed to consider
that Lillian's answer included her.
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