But you must not let that one unfortunate love affair prejudice you against marriage.
I should like to see you married, my son.

I should like you to love some noble, gentle lady whom I could call daughter; I should like to hold your children in my arms, to hear the music of children's voices before I go." "Should you love my children so much, father ?" he asked.
"Yes, more than I can tell you.

You must marry, Hubert, and then, as far as you are concerned, I shall not have a wish left unfulfilled." There was hope then for his little Madaline--hope that in time she would win the old earl's heart, and prevent his grieving over the unfortunate marriage.

For two years and a half the Earl of Mountdean lingered; the fair Italian clime, the warmth, the sunshine, the flowers, all seemed to join in giving him new life.

For two years and a half he improved, so that his son had begun to hope that he might return to England, and once more see the home he loved so dearly--Wood Lynton; and, though during this time his secret preyed upon him through every hour of every day, causing him to long to tell his father, yet he controlled the longing, because he would do nothing that might in the least degree retard his recovery.