m up and drove to the
Union. They raised no objections--it was only a matter of form. The
master and his wife seem to be good people, and to have been kind to
the boy."

He came to a pause again. Aymer still waited. Mr. Aston walked to the
window and looked out at the night, and then went on without turning:

"She had never left the slightest clue or given any hint whatever as
to her identity. She was going to Southampton, she said. But she was
dying of exhaustion then. They could do nothing for her. She asked
them to keep the boy. The Mosses took a fancy to him, and it was
managed. She would not say where she came from."

Aymer lay very still, his face set and immovable.

"The strength of her purpose: think of it, in a woman!" said Mr. Aston
a little unsteadily; "the boy should have grit in him, Aymer."

"What did they say of the boy?"

"Ah." Mr. Aston resumed his seat with a sigh.

"Well, what's your own impression, Aymer?"

"I am satisfied."

Mr. Aston leant forward with a wealth of affection in his kind eyes,
and straightened the edge of the gorgeous sofa cover. "Aymer, old
chap, you are too sensible, I know, to imagine it is going to run
easily and smoothly from the first. The boy will come out all right:
he is young enough to shape, and worth shaping. But he has had
everything against him except one thing. It means many troubles and
disappointments for you, but I believe it will have its compensations.
It will help fill your life, at least."

"I understand," said Aymer, steadily. "I should like to tell you just
how I feel about it, father. Putting aside entirely the question of it
being--Christopher--. That was a stroke of Providence, shall we say? I
had you and Nevil, and the children. Life was not altogether empty,
sir. But I felt I had learnt something from life,--from
myself,--mostly from you,--that might be useful to a man. Not to pass
this on," the steady voice lost its main quality for a moment, "seemed
a waste. I told you all this when I first spoke of adopting someone;
and at that precise moment the clue which led us to Christopher was
put into our hands. There was no choice then. I say this again because
I want you to remember that the idea that first started my plan is
still the main one. Christopher, being Christopher, does not alter it.
There is only this thing certain," he raised himself a very little on
his right arm and laid down his cigarette deliberately, "I've taken
the boy and I me