displeased, and will only consent to forgive the past
when I find you ready to bend your stubborn heart to obey my will."

Harold started at once for home. He hoped rather against hope that he
might talk his mother over; but her aspect was not encouraging when he
met her face to face.

No tragedy-queen could have assumed more scorn. Mrs. Purling, having
thrown herself into several attitudes, fell at length into a chair.

"I never thought it," she said; "not from my own and only child. The
serpent's tooth hath not such fangs, such power to sting, as the base
ingratitude of one undutiful boy. But this fills the cup. I have done
with you--for ever, unless you give me your sacred word of honour now,
at this minute, never to speak to Dolly Driver again."

"Such a promise would be quite impossible under any circumstances, but
I distinctly refuse to give it--upon compulsion."

"Then you have fair warning. Not one penny of my money shall you ever
possess. I will never see you again."

"I sincerely trust the last is only an empty threat, my dearest
mother."

She made a gesture as though she were not to be beguiled by soft
words.

"As for the money, it matters little. Thank God, I have my
profession."

"At which you will starve."

"By which I shall earn my bread as my father did. Besides, I can fall
back upon the reputation of the Family Pills."

"I see you wish to goad me beyond endurance, Harold. Go!"

"For good and all?"

"Yes; except on the one alternative. Will you give up this idiotic
passion? You refuse. It is on your own head, then. Go--go till I send
for you, which will be never!"

Harold went without another word--to Harbridge, overcame Dolly's
scruples, secured the practice, and within a month was married and
settled.

Mrs. Purling, in Phillipa's presence, made a great parade of burning
her will.

"He has brought it all on himself, unnatural boy! But you, darling
Phillipa, will never treat me thus. _Noblesse oblige._ The bright blue
blood that fills your veins would curdle at a _mesalliance_, I know."

Mrs. Purling was quite calm and self-possessed, while Miss Fanshawe,
strange to say, seemed agitated enough for both. Her hands trembled,
she looked away; only with positive repugnance she submitted to her
new mother's affectionate embrace. A woman who is capable of the most
cold-blooded calculating intrigue may yet have an access of remorse.
Phillipa's heart was heavy now at the moment of her triu