In a small, pretty villa, on the banks of the Arno, Ronald Earle established himself with his young wife.

He had gone direct to Eastham, after leaving Earlescourt, his heart aching with sorrow for home and all that he had left there, and beating high with joy at the thought that now nothing stood between him and Dora.

He told her of the quarrel--of his father's stern words--and Dora, as he had foreseen clung round his neck and wept.
She would love him all the more, she said.

She must love him enough to make up for home and every one else.
Yet, strange to say, when Ronald told his pretty, weeping wife all that happened, he made no mention of Valentine Charteris--he did not even utter her name.
Ronald's arrangements were soon made.

He sent for Stephen Thorne and his wife, and told them how and when he had married Dora.
"I am sorry for it," said Stephen.