failing to keep his promise), a boy, when he came
to man's estate, might find it in his heart to forgive his mother for
the untoward circumstances of his birth, whereas a daughter would only
feel resentment at the possible handicap with which the absence of a
father and a name would inflict her life. Thus Mavis worked with her
needle, and sang, and thought, and travailed; and daily the little life
within her became more insistent.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

THE NURSING HOME

A day came when Mavis's courage failed. Acting on the advice of kindly
Mrs Scatchard, she had bought, for the sum of one guinea, a confinement
outfit from a manufacturer of such things. She unpacked her purchase
fearfully. Her heart beat painfully at the thought of the approaching
ordeal that the sight of the various articles awakened.

At the same time, she saw Perigal's conduct in the cold light of
reason. She was surprised to find how bitter she was with herself for
loving a man who could behave as selfishly as he had done. While the
mood possessed her, she went to a post-office and sent a reply-paid
telegram to Perigal, telling him to come to town at once, and asking
him to wire the train by which he would arrive. After sending the
telegram, she somewhat repented of her precipitancy, and waited in much
suspense to see what the answer would be. When, some two hours later,
she heard the double knock of a telegraph boy at the door, her heart
was filled with nervous apprehension, in which reawakened love for
Perigal bore no inconsiderable part. She opened his reply with
trembling hands. "Why? Wire or write reason--love--Charles," it ran.

In reply, she sat down and wrote a long letter, in which she told him
how she was situated, reminded him of his promises, which, if he still
loved her, as he had professed times out of number in his letters, it
was now more than ever incumbent on him to fulfil; she concluded by
imploring him to decide either one way or the other and put an end to
her suspense. Two days later, the first post brought a letter from
Wales. By the time it arrived Mavis had, in some measure, schooled her
fears and rebellious doubtings of her lover; therefore, she was not so
disappointed at its contents as she would otherwise have been. The
letter was written in much the same strain as his other communications.
While expressing unalterable love for Mavis, together with pride at the
privileges she had permitted him to enjoy, it t