poor mother's
property in England, saddled with a lawsuit? Have you never heard
of delays and disappointments, and quibbles and false pretenses,
encountered by unfortunate wretches like me who are obliged to go to
law? God only knows when Randal will be free to return, or what bad news
he may bring with him when he does come back."

"You have many anxieties, Herbert; and I ought to have remembered them."

That gentle answer touched him. He made the best apology in his power:
he said his nerves were out of order, and asked her to excuse him if he
had spoken roughly. There was no unfriendly feeling on either side; and
yet there was something wanting in the reconciliation. Mrs. Linley left
her husband, shaken by a conflict of feelings. At one moment she felt
angry with him; at another she felt angry with herself.

With the best intentions (as usual) Mrs. Presty made mischief,
nevertheless. Observing that her daughter was in tears, and feeling
sincerely distressed by the discovery, she was eager to administer
consolation. "Make your mind easy, my dear, if you have any doubt about
Herbert's movements when he is away from home. I followed him myself the
day before yesterday when he went out. A long walk for an old woman--but
I can assure you that he does really go to the farm."

Implicitly trusting her husband--and rightly trusting him--Linley's wife
replied by a look which Mrs. Presty received in silent indignation. She
summoned her dignity and marched out of the room.

Five minutes afterward, Mrs. Linley received an intimation that her
mother was seriously offended, in the form of a little note:

"I find that my maternal interest in your welfare, and my devoted
efforts to serve you, are only rewarded with furious looks. The less
we see of each other the better. Permit me to thank you for your
invitation, and to decline accompanying you when you leave Mount Morven
tomorrow." Mrs. Linley answered the note in person. The next day Kitty's
grandmother--ripe for more mischief--altered her mind, and thoroughly
enjoyed her journey to the seaside.

Chapter XVI. The Child.

During the first week there was an improvement in the child's health,
which justified the doctor's hopeful anticipations. Mrs. Linley wrote
cheerfully to her husband; and the better nature of Mrs. Linley's
mother seemed, by some inscrutable process, to thrive morally under the
encouraging influences of the sea air. It may be a bold thing to say,
but