nest,
and he loved you dearly; but all the same I could not understand."

"Dinah and Mrs. Godfrey could not understand either," she replied
gently; "but you none of you knew my David: it made me a better woman
only to be near him. His father has just the same simple, guileless
nature--my two Nathanaels I used to call them."

"Dear, I understand better now," returned Malcolm kindly; "but I ask
myself, could I have done the same in his place? I fear--I greatly
fear, my love is not so selfless. If I had to die and leave you--" but
Elizabeth would not listen to this.

"If you had been in his place you would have been equally generous; I
know your good heart far too well to doubt that, Malcolm." Elizabeth
was a tall woman, and as she bent involuntarily towards him, her cheek
rested for a moment against his; that simple womanly caress seemed to
set the seal to her sacred confidence. But when she would have moved
away he held her fast.

"Elizabeth--Elizabeth," it was all he could say; but it was enough--no
words were needed. Silently they said their Te Deum together, and the
fair white moonlight lay on their bowed heads like a benison.

Two or three days later Malcolm found his way to 27 Queen's Gate, and
entered his mother's study unannounced. Mrs. Herrick was writing as
usual. Her keen gray eyes lighted up with pleasure when she saw him.

"My dear boy, at this hour--what a delightful surprise! I was just
writing to Anna. Cedric will not hear of bringing her back until
Thursday."

Malcolm smiled at his mother's tone. Strong-willed woman as she was, he
knew that Cedric would rule her utterly; the lad's wheedling ways and
blarneying tongue had already won her heart. Cedric never could be made
to understand why people were afraid of Mrs. Herrick.

"Have you come to spend the afternoon with me, Malcolm?"

"Yes, if you will have me. I have some news for you, mother." Malcolm
was little nervous, and spoke with some abruptness. Mrs. Herrick laid
down her pen and looked at him intently.

"You need not tell me," she returned quietly. "I know your news--I can
read it in your face--Elizabeth Templeton has promised to marry you."

"Mother, are you a witch?" in an astonished tone. "It is not possible
that any one has betrayed me; Anna and Cedric promised not to say a
word."

"No one has betrayed your confidence, Malcolm; and a mother does not
need witchcraft to enable her to read her children's hearts."

"My dear boy," she