Bygone.

For some moments silence prevailed, and mother and child presented a
singular contrast. The former was clad in some violet-coloured
fabric, and her wealth of golden hair was brushed smoothly back and
twisted into a loose knot, where her daughter's fingers had inserted
a moss rose with clustering buds and glossy leaves.

The girl wore a simple white muslin, high in the throat, where a
quilling of soft lace was secured by a bunch of lemon blooms and
violets; and around her coil of jet hair twined a long spray of
Arabian jasmine that drooped almost to her shoulder.

One face star-eyed and beaming as Hope, with rosy dreams lurking
about the curves of her perfect mouth; the other pale, dejected, yet
uncomplaining, a lovely statue of Regret.

Very soon the white hand that wore the black agate, wandered across
the daughter's silky hair.

"Yonder goes the train; and Mr. Palma will be here in a few minutes.
How little I dreamed that cold, undemonstrative, selfish man would
prove such a patient, tender lover! Truly--

'Beauty hath made our greatest manhoods weak.'

Kiss me, my darling, before you go to meet him. My blue-eyed baby!
after to-morrow you will be mine no longer. In the hearts of wives
husbands supplant mothers, and reign supreme. Do not speak, my love.
Only kiss me, and go."

She bent over the face resting on her knee, and a moment after
Regina, followed by the noble old dog, went down the circuitous walk
leading to the iron gate. On either side stood deodar cedars, and
behind one of these she sat down on a rustic seat.

She had not waited long when footsteps approached, and Mr. Palma's
tall, handsome figure passed through the gate, accompanied by one who
followed slowly.

"Lily!"

The lawyer passed his arm around her, drew her to his side, and
whispered:

"I bring you glad tidings. I bring my darling a very precious bridal
present--her father."

Turning quickly, he put her in Mr. Laurance's arms.

"Can my daughter cordially welcome her unhappy and unworthy father?"

"Oh! how merciful God has been to me! My father alive and
safe--really folding me to his heart? Now my mother can rest, for now
she can utter the forgiveness which her heart long ago pronounced;
but which, having withheld at your painful parting interview, has so
sorely weighed down her spirits. Oh, how bright the world looks!
Thank God! at last mother can find peace."

Looking fondly at her radiant face, Mr. Lauran