the name which had been assumed for
her amidst the ridicule of many, and in opposition to the belief of
nearly all, would be proved to have been her just and proper title.
And then, at last, it would be known by all men that she herself, the
ill-used, suffering mother, had gone to the house of that wicked man,
not as his mistress, but as his true wife!

Hardly a thought troubled her, then, as to the acquiescence of her
daughter. She had no faintest idea that the girl's heart had been
touched by the young tailor. She had so lived that she knew but
little of lovers and their love, and in her fear regarding Daniel
Thwaite she had not conceived danger such as that. It had to her
simply been unfitting that there should be close familiarity between
the two. She expected that her daughter would be ambitious, as she
was ambitious, and would rejoice greatly at such perfect success.
She herself had been preaching ambition and practising ambition all
her life. It had been the necessity of her career that she should
think more of her right to a noble name than of any other good thing
under the sun. It was only natural that she should believe that her
daughter shared the feeling.

And then Lady Anna came in. "They wanted me to stay and dine, mamma,
but I did not like to think that you should be left alone."

"I must get used to that, my dear."

"Why, mamma? Wherever we have been, we have always been together.
Mrs. Bluestone was quite unhappy because you would not come. They are
so good-natured! I wish you would go there."

"I am better here, my dear." Then there was a pause for a few
moments. "But I am glad that you have come home this evening."

"Of course, I should come home."

"I have something special to say to you."

"To me, mamma! What is it, mamma?"

"I think we will wait till after dinner. The things are here now. Go
up-stairs and take off your hat, and I will tell you after dinner."

"Mamma," Lady Anna said, as soon as the maid had left the room, "has
old Mr. Thwaite been here?"

"Yes, my dear, he was here."

"I thought so, because you have something to tell me. It is something
from him?"

"Not from himself, Anna;--though he was the messenger. Come and sit
here, my dear,--close to me. Have you ever thought, Anna, that it
would be good for you to be married?"

"No, mamma; why should I?" But that surely was a lie! How often had
she thought that it would be good to be married to Daniel Thwaite and
to have d