Lord Earle was well, but he would never allow his son's name to be mentioned before him, and she longed to see her son.

In all her letters Lady Earle said: "Give my love to Dora." In this, the third year of his married life, Ronald began to feel the pressure of poverty.

His income was not more than three hundred a year.

To Dora this seemed boundless riches; but the heir of Earlescourt had spent more in dress and cigars.

Now debts began to press upon him, writing home he knew was useless.