by your affection
as mother, and on your faith as gentlewoman; or I declare solemnly, that
never in life will you look upon my face again."

Haughty and imperious though the countess was, her spirit quailed before
Harley's brow and voice.

"Is this my son,--this my gentle Harley?" she said falteringly. "Oh, put
your arms round my neck; let me feel that I have not lost my child!"

Harley looked softened, but he did not obey the pathetic prayer;
nevertheless, he held out his hand, and turning away his face, said, in
a milder voice, "Have I your promise?"

"You have, you have; but on condition that there pass no words between
you and Audley that can end but in the strife which--"

"Strife!" interrupted Harley. "I repeat that the idea of challenge and
duel between me and my friend from our school days, and on a quarrel
that we could explain to no seconds, would be a burlesque upon all that
is grave in the realities of life and feeling. I accept your promise and
seal it thus--"

He pressed his lips to his mother's forehead, and passively received her
embrace.

"Hush," he said, withdrawing from her arms, "I hear my father's voice."

Lord Lansmere threw open the door widely, and with a certain
consciousness that a door by which an Earl of Lansmere entered ought to
be thrown open widely. It could not have been opened with more majesty
if a huissier or officer of the Household had stood on either side. The
countess passed by her lord with a light step, and escaped.

"I was occupied with my architect in designs for the new infirmary, of
which I shall make a present to our county. I have only just heard that
you were here, Harley. What is all this about our fair Italian guest?
Is she not coming back to us? Your mother refers me to you for
explanations."

"You shall have them later, my dear father; at present I can think only
of public affairs."

"Public affairs! they are indeed alarming. I am rejoiced to hear you
express yourself so worthily. An awful crisis, Harley! And, gracious
Heaven! I have heard that a low man, who was born in Lansmere, but made
a fortune in America, is about to contest the borough. They tell me he
is one of the Avenels,--a born Blue; is it possible?"

"I have come here on that business. As a peer you cannot, of course,
interfere; but I propose, with your leave, to go down myself to
Lansmere, and undertake the superintendence of, the election. It would
be better, perhaps, if you were not pres