They were in Richmond then, spending the honey-moon very quietly at General Valchester's splendid residence at the West End. Lina was too sensitive over her marred beauty to allow them to persuade her into society and gayety. She took Ronald's white fingers now, and passed them gently over her cheeks.
"Ronald," she said, "do you perceive that my skin is becoming softer and smoother?"
"Yes, and fairer, too," he replied. "The discolorations are disappearing very fast. What does it mean, Lina?"
"It means that Aunt Meredith was wiser than the New York doctors," she laughed. "She has prepared a salve for me from various woodland roots and herbs that is slowly obliterating every scar and discoloration from my face. She declares that in a year I shall be as pretty as I ever was."
"Then I shall bless the kind soul forever!" he cried out joyfully, and Lina knew then for the first time how silently and sadly Ronald had sorrowed for the loss of her wondrous beauty.
It was two years later when the two were traveling, that they met Walter Earle.
He had attended morning service at a pretty English church, and he heard a grand, glorious, triumphant voice, rising, as it were, to Heaven on the wings of the Gloria in Excelsis. He looked around and saw Ronald Valchester sitting by his wife's side.
Jaquelina had grown more beautiful than ever. Every trace of her accident had disappeared. The dark eyes were radiant with youth and health, the long lashes rested on a rose-flushed cheek, the scarlet mouth smiled as she chanted:
"Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will to men."
Walter covered his face with his hands, and gave one sigh, deep and bitter, to the memory of what he had lost through his weakness.