"I thought Walter intended to have brought back a bride with him," ignoring her first question. "Oh! did not Walter tell you?" she cried out, carelessly. "The engagement is off." "I do not think I understand you," Ronald replied. "The engagement is broken--they are not to be married," she explained. "Why not?" gravely. "Oh, Mr. Valchester, she is so changed, you know," said Violet, a little disconcerted by his grave eyes. "She has lost her voice and her beauty. She offered Walter his freedom, and he was glad enough to accept it." "I could not have believed it of Walter!" said Ronald Valchester, sturdily. "Oh, Mr. Valchester, she is a perfect fright! You would not blame Walter if you could see how she looks!" cried Violet, warmly defending Walter's course. Ronald said no more. He had turned to go. "You are not going to New York now! What is the use, when I am already here?" she cried, in dismay. Then Ronald answered, with a slight flush: "Excuse me, Violet. At the risk of seeming rude, I must tell you I was not going after you exactly. I am publishing another volume of poetry, and I was going to New York on urgent business." "You were going to see Jaquelina!" Violet broke out, in a sudden passion of anger and jealousy. And then she threw herself on a sofa and burst into bitter weeping. Ronald stood looking at her in amazement. He did not kneel down by her and kiss away the tears, as she expected him to do. He said, sadly and gravely: "Violet, this is quite unworthy of you. You must remember that Lina herself gave me to you." "I have small pleasure in the gift," she retorted. "I but seldom see you." The passionate complaint opened Ronald's eyes. He bent down and touched his affianced's cheek with his lips while he said, quietly: "Violet, when I return from New York I shall ask you to name our wedding day. You must think about it while I am gone." "When--when will you return?" sobbed Violet, with a smile struggling through her tears. "In about two weeks, I think," said Ronald. "Two weeks longer; I shall be gone to Laurel Hill before that time," she said, disappointed. "I do not think I can get back any sooner than that," he answered, "but I will come to Laurel Hill as soon as I return." "You promise," she said, "faithfully?" "I promise faithfully," he replied, with a slight smile at her anxiety. He went away and Violet was obliged to content herself with the thought of seeing him again in two weeks. She returned to her mountain home where she found her father very glad to see her again. In a week's time she heard that Jaquelina Meredith had returned to the farm on a visit to her uncle. CHAPTER XL. "May I see you for a little while, Lina? I have important news for you."