have always treated me, and not as though I were a maimed
and sickly member of the flock. Neither would I be reminded every moment
of the day that any special hurt has come to me.'

'And I am not to ask you even to rest yourself?'

'No, not even that. I would rather a thousand times that you gave me
some work or errand. Mother dear,' and here her voice was very sad, 'I
will not deny that this is a great trouble, and that my life will not be
as easy and as happy as it used to be. The shadow of my poor boy's
sorrow will be a heavy burden for me to bear; but we must ask God to
lighten it for both of us. I tell you this to-night because you are my
own dear mother, and such confidence is your due; but after to-night I
shall not say it again. If you and father wish to help me, it will be by
allowing me to feel that I am still your comfort;' and then she threw
herself in her mother's arms. 'Tell father this,' she whispered, 'and
ask him to give me time. One day, perhaps, I shall be more like my old
self; but we must wait: it is too soon to expect much of me yet.'

'I will tell your father you are our good, dear child, Audrey, and you
shall have your way.'

'Thank you; I knew you would understand. After all, there is no one like
one's mother.' And then she sighed, and Mrs. Ross knew where her
thoughts had wandered. 'Now, for this one evening, I will take your
advice and rest. I will go up to my room now; but to-morrow'--she
stopped, and then said firmly--'to-morrow everything shall be as usual.'
And then she gave her cheek to her mother's kiss, and went up to her
room.

Michael did not make his appearance in the drawing-room that night. To
Booty's secret rapture, he put on his great-coat, and went out into the
chill darkness. He had much to consider; and it was easier to make his
plans under the dim March starlight. A difficult charge had been given
him, and he had not shrunk from it; on the contrary, he had felt much as
some knight in the olden times must have felt when his liege lady had
given him some hazardous work or quest. To be sure, there was no special
guerdon attached to it; but a man like Michael Burnett does not need a
reward: if he could only give Audrey peace of mind, he would ask no
other reward.

He made up his mind that he would go to Cyril the next morning, and he
thought he knew what he should say to him. He and Dr. Ross had talked
matters over after dinner. Dr. Ross had already suggested a
substitute