High as the Lady Blanche Neville had stood herself, she had married almost above her rank, and her father's heart had been full of joy and pride.

But she had perished childless,--in child-birth, and again he was hurt almost to death.

There was still left to him a son,--a youth indeed thoughtless, lavish, and prone to evil pleasures.

But thought would come with years; for almost any lavishness there were means sufficient; and evil pleasures might cease to entice.

The young Lord Neville was all that was left to the Earl, and for his heir he paid debts and forgave injuries.