. It has
been a nightmare hanging over me like a horrible black thunder-cloud; a
great cliff miles high, with its top hid in the clouds, which I had to
climb, and dare not. I have longed to leap overboard, and flee from it
like a coward into the depths of the sea.--The thought that you might
ask me whether I was not my brother's keeper--that you might require his
blood at my hands--and now, now! when it comes! to find you all love,
and trust, and patience--mother, mother, it's more than I can bear!" and
he wept violently.

Mrs. Leigh knew enough of Amyas to know that any burst of this kind,
from his quiet nature, betokened some very fearful struggle; and the
loving creature forgot everything instantly, in the one desire to soothe
him.

And soothe him she did; and home the two went, arm in arm together,
while Ayacanora held fast, like a child, by the skirt of Mrs. Leigh's
cloak. The self-help and daring of the forest nymph had given place to
the trembling modesty of the young girl, suddenly cast on shore in a new
world, among strange faces, strange hopes, and strange fears also.

"Will your mother love me?" whispered she to Amyas, as she went in.

"Yes; but you must do what she tells you."

Ayacanora pouted.

"She will laugh at me, because I am wild."

"She never laughs at any one."

"Humph!" said Ayacanora. "Well, I shall not be afraid of her. I thought
she would have been tall like you; but she is not even as big as me."

This hardly sounded hopeful for the prospect of Ayacanora's obedience;
but ere twenty-four hours had passed, Mrs. Leigh had won her over
utterly; and she explained her own speech by saying that she thought so
great a man ought to have a great mother. She had expected, poor thing,
in her simplicity, some awful princess with a frown like Juno's own, and
found instead a healing angel.

Her story was soon told to Mrs. Leigh, who of course, woman-like,
would not allow a doubt as to her identity. And the sweet mother never
imprinted a prouder or fonder kiss upon her son's forehead, than
that with which she repaid his simple declaration, that he had kept
unspotted, like a gentleman and a Christian, the soul which God had put
into his charge.

"Then you have forgiven me, mother?"

"Years ago I said in this same room, what should I render to the Lord
for having given me two such sons? And in this room I say it once again.
Tell me all about my other son, that I may honor him as I honor you."

A