her mother in form and features had come to Virgie the
morning previous, and "all was well."

The fervent "thank God!" accompanied with something very like a sob, which
burst from Sir William Heath's lips as he read this message, told how
intense had been his anxiety during the weeks of his absence from his
darling, and how great his relief at those favorable tidings.

He returned a message of love and congratulation, and when, a little
later, there came a letter to the happy young mother, it begged that their
little one should be called "Virgie May," the latter name being that of a
dear sister of whom Sir Will had been very fond, and who had died several
years previous.

And thus the little heiress of Heathdale was christened by her mother.

Chapter XI.

"You Have Overstepped All Bounds."

Sir William Heath could hardly control his impatience to fly to his dear
ones across the water.

His fond heart yearned mightily to behold his child and to clasp once more
the beautiful wife who had now become dearer than ever to him.

But his mother's condition did not improve; she still lay hovering between
life and death, and he knew that he must not leave her until there was
some change either for the better or worse.

Her disease was partial paralysis, which, however, had not affected her
brain, and her son's return and presence appeared to be of the greatest
comfort to her.

Still she was liable, at any hour, to have another shock, which would
doubtless prove fatal, and Sir Herbert Randal--an eminent London
physician--commanded perfect quiet and freedom from all excitement, since
the least anxiety or disturbance of any kind would bring the dread
messenger which they all feared so much.

Thus it seemed as if the young baronet was hopelessly bound to Heathdale
for the present.

Not a word had passed between him and his mother regarding his marriage.
Knowing how displeased she had been at the time of it, and fearing to
excite her if he recalled the event to her mind, he had thought it best to
say nothing, but leave her to broach the subject whenever she should feel
inclined, although he wondered that she did not make some inquiry
regarding his young wife whom the family had expected he would bring with
him to Heathdale.

The meeting with his sister had been somewhat cold and formal, for he
could not forget how harshly she had expressed herself regarding his
choice, while she could not and would not forgiv