every
summer?" she said.

"I have no right to expect such a favor, my dear mother: but I sincerely
hope for it," said the son courteously.

"But it is not every young bachelor living on his own estate who cares
to be restrained by the presence of his mother and sisters; such
generally desire a life of more freedom and gayety than would be proper
with ladies in the house," said Mrs. Brudenell.

"But I am not one of those, mother; you know that my habits are very
domestic."

"Yes. Well, Herman, it may just as well be understood that myself and
the girls will return here to spend the summer. But now--the previous
question! Can you not be prevailed on to accompany us to Washington?"

"My dear mother! anything on earth to oblige you I would do, if
possible! But see! you go on Saturday, and this is Thursday night. There
is but one intervening day. I could not make the necessary arrangements.
I have much business to transact with my overseer; the whole year's
accounts still to examine, and other duties to do before I could
possibly leave home. But I tell you what I can do; I can hurry up these
matters and join you in Washington at the end of the week, in full time
to escort you and my sisters to that grand national ball of which I hear
them incessantly talking."

"And remain with us for the winter?"

"If you shall continue to wish it, and if I can find a builder,
decorator, and upholsterer whom I can send down to Brudenell Hall, to
make the improvements, and whom I can trust to carry out my ideas."

The lady's heart leaped for joy! It was all right then! he was willing
to leave the neighborhood! he had no particular attractions here! his
affections were not involved! his acquaintance with that girl had been
only a piece of transient folly, of which he was probably sick and
tired! These were her thoughts as she thanked her son for his ready
acquiescence in her wishes.

Meanwhile what were his purposes? To conciliate his mother by every
concession except one! To let her depart from his house with the best
feelings towards himself! then to write to her and announce his
marriage; plead his great love as its excuse, and implore her
forgiveness; then to keep his word and go to Washington, taking Nora
with him, and remain in the capital for the winter if his mother should
still desire him to do so.

A few moments longer the mother and son remained in the drawing room
before separating for the night--Mrs. Brudenell seate