ayers, or admiring the beauty of your
son. Hang the boy! though he is your child, I never can feel the least
interest in him.'

"'Is that his fault or yours?' said my mother, coldly.

"'Ah, mine, of course,' said Dinah, bitterly. 'We are not accountable
for our likes or dislikes. I hate the boy!'

"I looked at her with defiance in my eyes, and she answered my look
with a sharp blow on the cheek. 'Don't look at me, young dog, in that
insolent way. I have tamed prouder spirits than yours, and I'll tame
yours yet.'

"My mother gave her an angry glance, but said nothing, and we walked
slowly on. At last Dinah turned to her and said:

"'Rachel, this should be a proud and joyful day to you.'

"'In what respect, mother?'

"'Your rival's dead; you have gained your liberty, and Sir Alexander is
free to choose another wife. Do you understand me now?'

"'Perfectly; but that dream is past,' said my mother, mournfully. 'Sir
Alexander loved that dead angel too well, to place a woman of low
degree in her place. If he did not unite his destiny to mine when I was
young and beautiful, and he in the romance of life, don't flatter
yourself into the belief that he will do it now. I know human nature
better.'

"'You don't know your own power,' said Dinah; 'beauty is stronger than
rank and fortune, and you are still handsome enough to do a deal of
mischief among the men, if you only set about it in the right way.'

"'Peace! mother. I need none of your teaching. I learned to love
Mornington, and ceased to love Sir Alexander. Nay, I am really sorry
for the death of poor Lady Moncton, and should despise her husband if
he could forget her for one like me.'

"'Fool! idiot!' exclaimed Dinah, in a tone of exasperation. 'You have
ever stood in the way of your own fortune. Had you not been so over
squeamish you might have changed the children, and made your own son
the heir of the Moncton. Had I been at home, this surely would have
been done. This was all the good I got by leaving you to the guidance
of a handsome, good-natured fool like Mornington.'

"'Mother, speak more respectfully of the dead,' said Rachel. 'He was
_good_, at any rate, which we _are not_. It was my intention to have
changed the children, but God ordered it otherwise,' she continued,
with a convulsive laugh. 'However, I have had my revenge, but it has
cost me many a blighting thought.'

"'I don't understand you,' said Dinah, drawing close up before us, and
fixing a