I knew no better, and he might have pardoned me, remembering that.

But before the woman I believe to be my rival he bitterly regretted having made me his wife." "They were hard words," said Lady Earle.
"Very hard," replied Dora; "they broke my heart--they slew me in my youth; I have never lived since then." "Can you never forgive and forget them, Dora ?" asked Lady Helena.
"Never," she replied; "they are burned into my heart and on my brain.
I shall never forget them; your son and I must be strangers, Lady Earle, while we live." "I can say no more," sighed Lady Earle.

"Perhaps a mightier voice will call to you, Dora, and then you will obey." A deep silence fell upon them.

Lady Helena was more grieved and disconcerted than she cared to own.

She had thought of taking her son's wife and children home in triumph, but it was not to be.
"Shall we speak of the children now ?" she asked at length.