parental partiality?" asked Mrs. Kent, who by no means
enjoyed hearing Jasper's praises.

"No, I don't think so."

"You must let me believe that it is your modesty then. Jasper may be a
fine boy, but he will do well if he grows up as good a man as you."

"Now you flatter me, my dear," said Mr. Kent, smiling. "You have too
good an opinion of me."

"I don't know about that," said Mrs. Kent to herself. "I think you are
an addle-headed old fool, but I won't say so."

Aloud she said, with a smile: "My marrying you is a proof of my good
opinion, Mr. Kent."

"Thank you," said her husband, politely.

He was not a suspicious man--far from it--but even he knew that his wife
only married him for a home and an establishment. But he never let his
mind dwell on such things, and he quietly permitted his wife's assertion
to go uncontradicted.

* * * * * * * * *

Meanwhile Jasper Kent had returned to his boarding-school. There was one
who awaited his return with mingled curiosity and exultation.

This was Nicholas Thorne.

He had received his mother's letter, from which he learned, first, that
her plan had succeeded, and she was now the wife of a rich man, and,
secondly, that his own relationship to her must be changed in the eyes
of the world.

"I suppose mother knows what is best," he said to himself. "So I'm to be
her nephew, am I? Well, it's all one to me, as long as I fare the better
for her good fortune."

For the moment it occurred to him that his mother might intend to throw
him off--in a measure--but he quickly laid it aside. Bad as his mother
was, she was yet devoted to him, and in so far was superior to him, for
he cared for himself first and for no one second. The thought originated
in his own base selfishness, and was laid aside only because he had
received too many proof's of his mother's affection to doubt her.

When he heard that Jasper had got back he took pains to meet him.

"Well, Kent," he said, with a show of intimacy which Jasper found very
disagreeable, "what news from home?"

Jasper was about to reply abruptly, when it occurred to him that, after
all, Nicholas had an interest in the matter.

"I suppose you mean to ask if your mother is well?" he said, eyeing
Jasper keenly.

But Nicholas was on his guard. His mother's letter had cautioned him.

"No, I don't," he answered, impudently. "She is your mother, not mine."

"My mother!" exclaimed Jasper,