on her fair face--still fair; a clear, healthy
red and white, though she was over forty--you might trace some harsh
lines in it, and see clearly that, save for her exceeding unselfishness
and lovingness of disposition, Mrs. Bruce might in middle age have grown
into what is termed a "hard" woman; capable of passionate affection, but
of equally passionate severity, and prone to exercise both alike upon
the beings most precious to her on earth.

"I fear it is not a pleasant doctrine to preach to mothers," said Lord
Cairnforth; "but, Helen, all boys ought to leave home some time. How
else are they to know the world?"

"I do not wish my boy to know the world."

"But he must. He ought. Remember his life is likely to be a very
different one from either yours or mine."

"Do not let us think of that," said Helen, uneasily.

"My friend, I have been thinking of it ever since he was born--or, at
least, ever since he came to Cairnforth. That day seems almost like
yesterday, and yet--We are growing quite middle-aged folk, Helen, my
dear."

Helen sighed. These peaceful, uneventful years, how fast they had
slipped by! She began to count them after the only fashion by which she
cared to count any thing now. "Yes, Cardross will be a man--actually
and legally a man--in little more than two years."

"That is just what I was considering. By that time we must come to some
decision on a subject which you will never let me speak of; but by-and
by, Helen, you must. Do you suppose that your son guesses, or that any
body has ever told him, what his future position is to be?"

"I think not. There was nobody to tell him, for nobody knew. No,"
continued Helen, speaking strongly and decidedly, "I am determined on
one point--nothing shall bind you as regards my son or me--
nothing, except your own free will. To talk of me as your successor is
idle. I am older than you are; and you must not be compromised as
regards my son. He is a good boy now, but temptation is strong, and,"
with an irrepressible shudder, "appearances are deceitful sometimes.
Wait, as I have always said--wait till you see what sort of man
Cardross turns out to be."

Lord Cairnforth made no reply, and once more the two friends sat
watching the unconscious youth, who had been for so many years the one
object of both their lives.

"Ignorance is not innocence," said the earl at length, after along fit
of musing. "If you bind a creature mortally hand and foot,