If you are passing, come in for a few minutes," she answered; "I have a
thousand things to speak to you about."

"Shall you come in to lunch?" I asked.

"No, I shall take something with me," she replied; "it hinders so;
coming back here."

I was not overworked that morning. The convulsions of Mrs. Lihou's baby
were not at all serious; and, as I have before stated, the practice
which my father and I shared between us was a very limited one. My part
of it naturally fell among our poorer patients, who did not expect me to
waste their time and my own, by making numerous or prolonged visits. So
I had plenty of time to call upon Julia at the new house; but I could
not summon sufficient courage. The morning slipped away while I was
loitering about Fort George, and chatting carelessly with the officers
quartered there.

I went to lunch, pretty sure of finding no one but my mother at home.
There was no fear of losing her love, if every other friend turned me
the cold shoulder, as I was morally certain they would, with no blame to
themselves. But the very depth and constancy of her affection made it
the more difficult and the more terrible for me to wound her. She had
endured so much, poor mother! and was looking so wan and pale. If it had
not been for Johanna's threat, I should have resolved to say nothing
about Olivia, and to run my chance of matrimonial happiness.

What a cruel turn Fate had done me when it sent me across the sea to
Sark ten weeks ago!

My mother was full of melancholy merriment that morning, making pathetic
little jokes about Julia and me, and laughing at them heartily
herself--short bursts of laughter which left her paler than she had been
before.

I tried to laugh myself, in order to encourage her brief playfulness,
though the effort almost choked me. Before I went out again, I sat
beside her for a few minutes, with my head, which ached awfully by this
time, resting on her dear shoulder.

"Mother," I said, "you are very fond of Julia?"

"I love her just the same as if she were my daughter, Martin--as she
will be soon," she answered.

"Do you love her as much as me?" I asked.

"Jealous boy!" she said, laying her hand on my hot forehead, "no, not
half as much; not a quarter, not a tenth part as much! Does that content
you?"

"Suppose something should prevent our marriage?" I suggested.

"But nothing can," she interrupted; "and, O Martin! I am sure you will
be very happy with Julia."

I said