lial care. Her heart swelled within her when she saw the black horse
brought round. She went to the door in the gray gown which she had got
for Minnie's marriage, and met her son as he came into the hall. "Oh,
Theo, are you going to leave us to-day? I thought you would have stayed
with us to-day," she said, with what an unfavourable judge would have
called a querulous tone in her voice. It was in reality fatigue and
weariness, and a great desire for her boy's affection and comforting
care; but the other explanation was not without reason.

"Why should I stay to-day, more than any other day?" he said.

"You don't require me to tell you, Theo. It is getting late; you can't
be wanted _there_, surely, to-day."

Now this was injudicious on Mrs. Warrender's part: but a woman cannot
always be judicious, however it may hurt her. He looked at her with
quick offence.

"Suppose I think differently?" he said; "or suppose that it is for my
own pleasure I am going, as you say, _there_?"

"I meant no harm," said Mrs. Warrender. "I have not opposed you. Often I
have longed to have you a little more at home: but I never said
anything, Theo,--you know I have never said anything."

"I can't imagine, mother, what there was to say."

She checked herself with difficulty, but still she did check herself.
"There are some things," she said, "that I wish you would attend to,--I
cannot help feeling that there are several things; but to-day, dear
Theo, both Chatty and I are feeling low. Stay with us this afternoon. It
will do us so much good."

She thought that he wavered for an instant, but if so it was only for an
instant. "I don't believe that," he said. "We should only quarrel; and
what is the use of a thing that is forced? And besides, of all days, this
is the one above all others that I want to go. It is my best chance"--and
then he stopped and looked at her, the colour rising to his face.

"I thought Geoff was to go somewhere, for a holiday."

He gave her another look, and the red became crimson. "That is just the
reason," he said enigmatically, and with a slight wave of his hand passed
her, and went out to the door.

"You will be back to dinner, Theo?"

He turned round his head as he was about to ride away, looking down upon
her. "Perhaps I may be back immediately," he said,--"most likely; but
never mind me, one way or another. I want nothing but to be let alone,
please."

Chatty had come out to the door, and they both stood