"Oh! Mr. Earle," she cried out, looking lovely as a dream in her dismay and confusion. "I--I am very sorry for you. I did not dream of your loving me. Since yesterday I have been engaged to Mr. Valchester." CHAPTER XIII. Walter Earle's handsome face grew pale with surprise and emotion at the words of the beautiful girl he loved so dearly. When at last he could speak he cried out hoarsely: "Engaged to Valchester! Is it possible? I never dreamed of such a thing." "Why not, Mr. Earle? If you loved me why should not he have loved me also?" asked Jaquelina, with gentle dignity, though her cheeks flushed deeply. Walter Earle stared at her a moment in silence. He began to realize the effect of her bright and charming beauty as he had never done before. All along it had seemed to him that other men were blind. He had thought to put forth his hand and pluck a rose that none other had sighed for; but another had been there before him. "I thought Valchester was too selfishly absorbed in his books and poetry to think of love," he responded; then he added with a bitterness he could not repress: "You will allow me to congratulate you, Miss Meredith, on having secured such a desirable _parti_." "Thank you. I consider myself a very fortunate girl," Jaquelina answered, with a movement of graceful pride. "No doubt!" said Walter, so excited and pained by her refusal of his suit that he was not prepared to do her justice even in his thoughts. "Others will consider you a very fortunate person also. It is well known that Valchester's parents are exceedingly wealthy." Jaquelina's pretty, proud face grew pale at his words. "I--did not know that," she said. "Did you not, really?" asked Walter. "No, I did not," she replied; then with a crimson blush: "Did you think, Mr. Earle, that I accepted Mr. Valchester for mercenary considerations?" The pain and shame in the winning face overcame Walter's unreasonable and unjust mood. "Forgive me," he said, "I was tempted a moment to think so; but of course I know better after what you have just told me. The smart of my own pain made me unjust. Do not be angry with me, Lina, if I may call you so this once. I shall hope still to be your friend since I cannot claim a dearer title." Jaquelina held out her hand to him impulsively. Walter kissed it tenderly and regretfully. "Valchester is a noble fellow," he said, bravely. "I hope you may be very happy together." When he was gone, Jaquelina wept a shower of bright tears upon the pages of her book. She was very sorry for poor Walter's disappointment. She cried so bitterly that little Dollie was affected to participation in her grief, and wept in unison, whereat Jaquelina dried her tears and laughed. "There now, Dollie, we are done crying," she said. "We are very sorry for Walter. He is gay and good and handsome, but Ronald is my prince."