Now I have one more thing to say--I shall never control or force your affections, but in my heart there is one great wish." Lord Earle paused for a few minutes; he was looking at the face of Lady Alicia Earle, whom Beatrice strongly resembled.
"I have no son," he continued, "and you, my daughters, will not inherit title or estate--both go to Lionel Dacre.

If ever the time should come when Lionel asks either of you to be his wife, my dearest wish will be accomplished.

And now, as my long lecture is finished, and the bell has rung, we will prepare for a visit to Sir Harry and Lady Laurence." There was not much time for thought during the rest of the day; but when night came, and Beatrice was alone, she looked the secret of her life in the face.
She had been strongly tempted, when Lord Earle had spoken so kindly, to tell him all.

She now wished she had done so; all would have been over.

He would perhaps have chided her simple, girlish folly, and have forgiven her.