Your father is there he wants to see you before he goes to Holtham." Valentine went straight to her mother's room.

Lady Charteris sat waiting for her, beguiling the time with a book.

She smiled as her daughter entered.
"I hope you have had a pleasant walk," she said; but both smile and words died away as she saw the expression on her daughter's face, as she bent over her mother.
"Mamma," said Valentine, gently, "all I said to you last night about Earlescourt was a great mistake--it will never be my home.

My vanity misled me." "Have you quarreled with Ronald ?" asked Lady Charteris, quietly.
"No," was the calm reply.

"We are excellent friends but, mamma, I was mistaken.