But he did not thaw immediately.
"You know, Lord Hartledon--" "Call me Val, as you used to do," came the pleading interruption; and Dr.
Ashton smiled in spite of himself.
"Percival, you know it is against my nature to be harsh or unforgiving; just as I believe it contrary to your nature to be guilty of deliberate wrong.

If you will only be true to yourself, I would rather have you for my son-in-law than any other man in England; as I would have had when you were Val Elster.

Do you note my words?
_true to yourself_." "As I will be from henceforth," whispered Val, earnest tears rising to his eyes.
And as he would have been but for his besetting sin..