nd what you call snapping and snarling do not seem half
so bad to her as they do to a third person, especially when that third
person is her partisan. Instead of your adding to her happiness by
renouncing your idea of going into the army, and of deciding to remain
here in some position or other to take care of her, as, I suppose, is
your intention, the result will be just the contrary. As to your sister,
I think the same thing would happen.

"Your mother is certainly greatly attached to her and owing to her
changed habits--for I understand that she is now a far more active, and
I may say, Ned, a more sensible woman than before her marriage--I see no
reason why Lucy should not be happy with her, especially if the element
of discord--I mean yourself--were out of the way. As to Charlie, at
the worst I don't think that he would suffer from your absence. His
stepfather's temper will be less irritable; and as Charlie is away at
school all day, and has to prepare his lessons in the evening, there is
really but slight opportunity for his stepfather treating him with any
active unkindness, even should he be disposed to do so.

"Did I think, my boy, that your presence here would be likely to benefit
your family I should be the last person to advise you to avoid making
a sacrifice of your private wishes to what you consider your duty; but
upon the contrary I am convinced that the line which you have, with the
best intention, taken up has been altogether a mistake, that your stay
at home does vastly more harm than good, and that things would go on
very much better in your absence."

This was a bitter mortification for Ned, who had hitherto nursed the
idea that he was performing rather a heroic part, and was sacrificing
himself for the sake of his mother.

"You don't know the fellow as I do," he said sullenly at last.

"I do not, Ned; but I know human nature, and I know that any man would
show himself at his worst under such circumstances as those in which you
hare placed him. It is painful to have to say, but I am sure that you
have done harm rather than good, and that things will get on much better
in your absence."

"I believe he is quite capable of killing her," Ned said passionately,
"if he wanted her out of the way."

"That is a hard thing to say, Ned; but even were it so, we have no
reason for supposing that he does want her out of the way. Come, Sankey,
I am sure you have plenty of good sense. Hitherto you have been a