e impossible, as you must see, that the old
intimacy should be renewed. Your fathers--my peace of mind depends upon
our keeping at a distance--upon the past, Brace, being deeply buried.
You see that I am speaking freely--that I am keeping nothing back, in
order that you may be upon your guard, and do nothing to endanger the
happiness of what, my child, has been these many years a happy home."

"But," exclaimed Brace, impetuously, "if the mystery could be cleared
up! I do not like that, even with Sir Murray Gernon, there should be a
doubt of my father's honour."

"Brace, my dear boy," said Mrs Norton, laying her hand upon the young
man's arm, "let the past rest; it is a subject that has brought white
hairs into more than one head. It has been thought upon till left in
despair. I pray to be forgiven if I am unjust, but I do not think that
Sir Murray Gernon entertains a single suspicion against your father,
whatever he may once have felt. Time must have removed old impressions;
but for his own black conduct--There, I dare not say what I think, even
to you, Brace!"

There was a contraction of the young man's features, as an inkling of
the meaning of his mother's hastily-spoken words flashed across his
mind. Then, rising, he began to pace the room with impatient strides,
for there was a sense of disappointment at his heart which he could not
overcome; and in spite of his efforts, there seemed to be continually
before him the sweet, timid face and the reclining figure that he had
for a few minutes supported; while, as he pondered upon his mothers
words, again piecing together her long narrative, it seemed to him that
he was every minute being removed further and further from one who had
made what in another case he would have called an impression upon a
susceptible nature. It was as though each moment a deep, black gulf was
opening wider and wider between them--a gulf that it would be impossible
for him ever to pass. Then, as Mrs Norton watched him anxiously, he
stood gazing from the window, telling himself that it was absurd to
treat matters in such a light; that he had seen Isa Gernon but for a few
minutes; that he had barely spoken to her; that she might be engaged to
another; that she might be in disposition unamiable, and in tastes
utterly opposed to his; that, in short, he was making an utter ass of
himself. But, all the same, there were those two large, sad eyes ever
before him, gazing reproachfully in his f