," said Lady Clara. "What was the matter?"

"Nothing, only her baby had been crying; but wasn't he a love?" said
Lady Laura.

"I say! He was a perfect dear!" said one and another.

"I don't care much for babies," said Lady Clara. "They ought to be
trained to stay with their nurses and not cry after their mammas like
that. Fancy having to take such a child around with one everywhere, even
in making a formal call, you know! Isn't it absurd? American women spoil
their children dreadfully, I have heard."

CHAPTER XXXI

IN WHICH DAVID AND HIS MOTHER DO NOT AGREE

The day after Cassandra's flight from Queensderry David returned.
Although greatly prolonged, his African expedition had been successful,
and he was pleased. He had improved his opportunities to learn political
conditions and know what might best advance England's power in that
remote portion of her possessions.

Mr. Stretton had informed him that he might soon be called to a seat in
the House, and he was glad to be in a measure prepared to hold opinions
of his own on a few, at least, of the vital issues. Canada he already
knew well, and to be conversant also with the state of affairs in South
Africa gave him greater confidence.

The first afternoon of his return he spent in looking over the changes
which had been in progress at Daneshead during his absence. In spite of
his weariness, he seemed buoyant and gay, more so, his mother thought,
than at any time since his return from America. She said nothing about
the episode of Cassandra's call,--possibly for the time it was
forgotten,--but as they parted for the night, when they were alone
together, Lady Thryng again broached to her son the subject of his
marriage.

"We have had a visit from Lady Clara Temple," she said.

David lay upon a divan with his hands clasped beneath his head, and the
light from a reading lamp streamed upon his sunny hair, which always
looked as if some playful breeze had just lifted it. His whole frame had
the sinewy appearance of energy and power. His mother's heart swelled
with love and pride as she looked at his smiling, thoughtful face, and
down upon his lean, strong body that in its lassitude expressed the
vigor of a splendid animal at rest.

Still more would she have given thanks for the restoration of this
beloved son could she have been able to contrast his present state with
his condition when, ill and discouraged, he had gone to the lonely log
cabin in a wildern