Oh, Lady
Helena, let my child be spared! Let no so-called love come near
her! Love found me out in my humble home, and wrecked all my
life. Do not let my bright, beautiful Beatrice suffer as I have
done. I would rather fold my darlings in my arms and lie down
with them to die than live to see them pass through the cruel
mockery of love and sorrow which I have endured. Lady Helena, do
not laugh; your letter distressed me. I dreamed last night,
after reading it, that I placed a wedding veil on my darling's
head, when, as it fell round her, it changed suddenly into a
shroud. A mother's love is true, and mine tells me that Beatrice
is in danger."
Chapter XXVII
"I have been abroad long enough," said Lord Earle, in reply to
some remark made by Lady Helena. "The girls do not care for the
sea--Beatrice dislikes it even; so I think we can not do better
than to return to Earlescourt. It may not be quite fashionable,
but it will be very pleasant."
"Yes," said Lady Earle; "there is no place I love so well as
home. We owe our neighbors something, too. I am almost ashamed
when I remember how noted Earlescourt once was for its gay and
pleasant hospitality.
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