There was a sweet, matronly repose about
her, and the brightness of her red-gold hair was dashed with
streaks of soft grey beneath the laces with which it was crowned.
But her complexion was clear and fair, and there was a look of soft
fragility about her which made the son's protecting air of
solicitude a natural and appropriate one. She folded him in her
arms in a long, rapturous embrace; and Julian stood silently by the
while, reverent of that deep love which for the moment could find
no expression save in the whispered words:

"Mother! mother! mother!"

"My son--my dear boy! my son come back to me!"

When the lady turned at length to greet the silent figure who stood
silently watching this meeting, Julian could see that the tears
were standing upon her cheeks and sparkling in her eyes.

"You will pardon me, sir, for this apparent neglect," she said
sweetly, putting her thin jewelled fingers into Julian's hand; "but
when my boy goes forth to the fight, I never know whether it will
be God's will to send him back to me safe and sound. A mother's
heart cannot but be full upon a day like this. But second only to
my joy in welcoming him back is this of making acquaintance with
the trusty friend who has been so much to him during his perils and
labours."

"Madam, it has been the joy and honour of my life to be able to
serve so great a soldier and so noble a man!"

The warm clasp upon his fingers gave the mother's answer to this;
and then they all moved within the lighted hall, where a glowing
fire and a number of candles gave bright illumination, and where
quite a hubbub of welcome was going on. The servants were pressing
forward to see and greet their young master, who had come home
crowned with laurels. It was known by this time in England how much
of the success at Louisbourg had been due to Wolfe's unfailing
energy and intrepidity. He was a hero at home as well as abroad,
though he had hardly realized it yet. Moreover, he was vociferously
welcomed by his dogs, all of whom had been brought by his mother to
meet their master again; and he had much ado to return the manifold
greetings bestowed upon him, and to free himself at last from the
demonstrative affection of his canine friends.

A plentiful supper was awaiting the wearied travellers; and it was
when they had put in order their dress and entered the dining room
that they were aware of the presence of another lady, a very
handsome, dark-eyed girl, who stoo