im. The boy responds
gladly to the embrace, and to those present who know nothing, it seems
the simplest thing in the world. The mother,--the child; naturally they
would caress each other on each and every occasion. The agony of the
mother is unknown to them; the fear that her boy, her treasure, may
inherit something of his father, and in his turn prove unfaithful to the
heart that trusts him.

It is a very little scene, scarcely worth recording, yet the anguish of
a strong heart lies embodied in it.

"If you are going to the gardens, Lady Baltimore, let me go with you,"
says Miss Maliphant, rising quickly and going toward her. She is a big,
loud girl, with money written all over her in capital letters, but Dicky
Browne watching her, tells himself she has a good heart. "I should
_love_ to go there with you and Bertie."

"Come, then," says Lady Baltimore graciously. She makes a step forward;
little Bertie, as though he likes and believes in her, thrusts his small
fist into the hand of the Birmingham heiress, and thus united, all three
pass out of sight.

CHAPTER VIII.

"I have no other but a woman's reason: I think him so, because I
think him so."

When a corner near the rhododendrons has concealed them from view,
Dysart rises from his seat and goes deliberately over to where Lady
Swansdown is sitting. She is an old friend of his, and he has therefore
no qualms about being a little brusque with her where occasion demands
it.

"Have a game?" says he. His suggestion is full of playfulness, his tone,
however, is stern.

"Dear Felix, why?" says she, smiling up at him beautifully. There is
even a suspicion of amusement in her smile.

"A change!" says he. His words this time might mean something, his tone
anything. She can read either as she pleases.

"True!" says she laughing. "There is nothing like change. You have
wakened me to a delightful fact. Lord Baltimore," turning languidly to
her companion, who has been a little _distrait_ since his wife and son
passed by him. "What do you say to trying a change for just we two.
Variety they _say_ is charming, shall we try if shade and coolness and
comfort are to be found in that enchanting glade down there?" She points
as she speaks to an opening in the wood where perpetual twilight seems
to reign, as seen from where they now are sitting.

"If you will," says Baltimore, still a little vaguely. He gets up,
however, and stretches his arms indolently a