ou. Let her come
here."

My lady adhered to her resolution with iron force, and received her
son, when the day after his return he rode over, with freezing
formality. But with all that, she was none the less deeply displeased
when he called and came to dinner and left his bride at home.

"My humble house is not worthy my lady's presence, I dare say," she
remarked. "After the magnificence of barrack life and the splendor of
Hunsden Hall, I scarcely wonder she can not stoop to your mother's
jointure house. A lady in her position must draw the line somewhere."

"You are unjust, mother," her son said, striving to speak calmly. "You
always were unjust to Harriet. If you will permit us, we will both do
ourselves the pleasure of dining with you to-morrow."

"It shall be precisely as the Prince and Princess of Kingsland please.
My poor board will be only too much honored."

"It is natural, I suppose," he thought, riding homeward. "The contrast
between Kingsland Court and The Grange is striking. She is jealous and
angry and hurt--poor mother! Harrie must come with me to-morrow, and
try to please her."

But when to-morrow came Harrie had a headache, and the baronet was
obliged to go alone.

There was an ominous light in his mother's eyes, and a look of troubled
inquiry in Mildred's face that told him a revelation was coming.

His mother's eyes transfixed him the instant he appeared.

"I thought your wife was coming?"

"Harriet had a shocking bad headache. She has been ill all day," he
replied, hastily. "It was quite impossible for her to leave her room.
She regrets----"

"That will do, Everard!" His mother rose as she spoke, with a short
laugh. "I understand it all. Don't trouble yourself to explain. Let
us go to the dining-room--dinner waits."

"But, my dear mother, it is really as I say. Harrie is ill."

"Ill? Yes, ill of a guilty conscience, perhaps! Such a mother--such a
daughter! I always knew how this mad _mesalliance_ would end. I don't
know that I am surprised. I don't know that I regret it. I am only
sorry that my son's wife should be the first to disgrace the name of
Kingsland!"

"Disgrace? Take care, mother! That is an ugly word."

"It is. But, however ugly, it is always best to call these things by
their right names."

"These things! What under heaven do you mean?"

"Do you really need to ask?" she said, with cold contempt. "Are you
indeed so blind where this woman is c