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Brame, Charlotte M. (Charlotte Monica), 1836-1884

"Dora Thorne"

You are
smiling, Lillian, what is it?"
"I should laugh, papa," she replied, "if you did not look so very
grave. We must see people in order to love them. Beatrice, how
many do we know in the world? Farmer Leigh, the doctor at
Seabay, Doctor Goode, who came to the Elms when mamma was ill,
two farm laborers, and the shepherd--that was the extent of our
acquaintance until we came to Earlescourt. I may now add Sir
Henry Holt and Prince Borgesi to my list. You forget, papa, we
have lived out of the world."
Lord Earle remembered with pleasure that it was true. "You will
soon be in the midst of a new world," he said, "and before you
enter society I thought it better to give you this warning. I
place no control over your affections; the only thing I forbid,
detest, and will never pardon, is any underhand, clandestine love
affair. You know not what they would cost."
He remembered afterward how strangely silent Beatrice was, and
how her beautiful, proud face was turned from him.
"It is a disagreeable subject," said Lord Earle, "and I am
pleased to have finished with it--it need never be renewed.


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