felt strong and vigorous.
That which had appeared black at night assumed less sombre colours in
the light of day. After all, he had won a great victory. He had
received nearly a thousand votes more than his opponent. He had
wrested a seat for the cause in which he believed, and he was member
for Brunford!

He slept until nearly nine o'clock, and when he came downstairs he
found, to his delight, a heap of congratulatory messages lying upon the
table. After all, it was delightful to be a victor, delightful to have
won in the battle of life! He noticed, too, that his mother had become
like her old self again. She spoke in her natural voice, and made no
reference whatever to what had taken place the night before.

"I shall have to go to London, to-day or to-morrow, mother," he said.
"I hope you won't be lonely while I'm away."

"Oh, never fear for me, Paul, my son!" she replied. "I shall be all
right."

"I do not like the idea of your being alone, though," said Paul. "And
I shall have to be away from Brunford a great deal when Parliament
meets. I think I shall have to take you to London with me!"

"No," she replied. "I would rather stay here. I should only be in
your way if I went to London, besides increasing your expenses--and
that I must not do."

"Why not, mother? I can afford it very well. We're having a specially
good run of luck just now, and the extra expense would not bother me at
all. Besides, I want you to be near me!"

"No, Paul. I would rather remain in Brunford. I have my work to do."

"Your work, mother! What do you mean?"

She did not reply, and Paul could not understand the look on her face.

"Tell me, mother," he said, "what do you mean by having your work to
do?"

"There's only one work for me now, Paul--only one thing I care
about--and that is to give you your rightful name, and to make you
happy!"

"I have thought lately he's dead," said Paul.

"No," she replied, "he is not dead. I feel it in every fibre of my
body. He is not dead! And I am going to find him. And I must not
leave Brunford--something has told me I must not. And I must watch
Wilson, too."

"I have been thinking about that, mother," he said; "and, after all,
it's not so bad. The man was drunk, or he would not have said such a
thing!"

"Drunk or sober," was her reply, "he shall pay for those words. But do
not trouble, Paul. You shall be happy. And you shall have your
rightful name, in spite of