"I'm only just a beginner, and Wilson is
one of the richest men in Brunford."

"If she is worth having, Paul, she won't think so much about that! I
went to the kirk last Sunday where Wilson goes, and I saw him. I tell
you he is not one that a lass would take to if she knew you cared for
her. But if you don't speak, well, there----"

"I hear she's coming to Brunford soon," said Paul presently.

His mother looked up eagerly. "Coming to Brunford?" she asked.

"Yes," replied Paul. "She's coming on a visit to the Wilsons'. My
partner, George Preston, told me. It seems that his mother's servant
is friendly with one of the maids up at Howden Clough. That's how he
got to know."

The mother looked at her son for a few seconds with a strange
expression in her eyes. It was easy to see how she loved him, and how
her heart went out in strong desire to bring him happiness. She did
not seem at all jealous that he should love anyone beside her, her one
thought seemed to be how to bring him joy.

"You must meet her, Paul!" she said. "You must meet her!"

"Ay, that's very likely," he laughed bitterly. "But what's the good?
She would never think of me, I am nameless!"

He was sorry the moment he had spoken, for he knew he had not only
wounded his mother, he had aroused in her heart feelings which he had
hoped were dying out.

"You have heard nothing more?" she said, and her voice was hard and
almost hoarse.

"No, mother," he replied. "I seem to be met by a blank wall
everywhere. I have made every inquiry in my power, and, as I told you,
I went to Scotland in the hope that I should be able to get at the
truth, but I learnt nothing--nothing! If he's alive he's somewhere in
hiding; he's afraid of what will take place--because the marriage is
clear enough, at least, in my mind."

"But in the eyes of the law, Paul?" she asked eagerly.

"Ay, even in the eyes of the law," he replied. "If I could find him, I
could face him with what you both wrote in that book in the old inn.
Both the man and the woman are still alive, and they had no doubt about
it. But I cannot find him. I've tried, and, as these Lancashire
people say, 'better tried.' I sometimes think we'll have to give it
up!"

The woman rose to her feet and came towards him like one in anger.
"Paul," she said, "never hint at such a thing again. For myself it
doesn't matter. Everyone here calls me Mrs. Stepaside, and there are
but few who ask questions a