"Every one has remarked your manner; you never seemed happy away from her." "I wished to make her my friend," said Ronald; "I never thought of anything else." He stood aghast when he remembered why he had tried so hard to win her friendship.

What if Valentine misunderstood him?
"Others thought for you," said Lady Earle, dryly.

"Of course, if I am mistaken, there is no more to be said; I merely intended to say how happy such a marriage would make me.

If you do not love the young lady the matter ends, I suppose." "Can you not love her, Ronald ?" asked his mother, gently.

"She is so fair and good, so well fitted to be the future mistress of Earlescourt.
Can you not love her ?" "Nothing was further from my thoughts," he replied.
"Surely," interrupted Lady Earle, "you have forgotten the idle, boyish folly that angered your father some time since--that can not be your reason ?" "Hush, mother," said Ronald, standing erect and dauntless; "I was coming to tell you my secret when you met me.