"I must
go, Lord Earle; do not press to stay."
"Come and go as you will, Lionel," said Ronald, surprised at the
brusqueness of his manner; "we are always pleased to see you and
sorry to lose you. You will return soon, perhaps?"
"I will write to you in a few days," he replied. "I must say
goodbye to Lady Earle."
She was astounded. Beatrice and Lord Airlie came up to him
there was a general expression of surprise and regret. He,
unlike himself, was brusque, and almost haughty.
Sir Harry and Lady Laurence had gone home. Beatrice, with a
vague fear that something had gone wrong, said she was tired;
Lord Airlie said goodnight; and in a few minutes Lady Helena and
her son were left alone.
"What has come over Lionel?" asked Ronald. "Why, mother, how
mistaken I am! Do you know that I quite believed he was falling
in love with Lillian?"
"He did that long ago," replied Lady Helena, with a smile. "Say
nothing about it. Lionel is very proud and impetuous. I fancy
he and Lillian have had some little dispute. Matters of that
kind are best left alone--interference always does harm.
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