ng-stone to his friend's advancement, surely, Mark told himself,
he would scarcely grudge it.

But he hardly cared to justify to himself what he had done by any
casuistry of this kind; he preferred to shut his eyes resolutely to
the morality of the thing; he might have acted like the basest
scoundrel, very likely he had. Still, no one did, no one need, suspect
him. All he had to do was to make the best use of the advantage he had
snatched; when he could feel that he had done that, then he would feel
justified; meanwhile he must put up with a few natural twinges of
conscience now and then, when he was not feeling well.

The next morning breakfast passed without any reference to the scene
of the night before; Martha and Cuthbert both knew of what had
happened, but kept silence, and if Mrs. Ashburn had any hopes that
Mark would recant, she was disappointed.

That evening he informed them that he had taken rooms, and should not
remain at Malakoff Terrace for more than a few days longer; his
announcement being met by a grim 'Very well, Mark, just as you
please,' from his mother; and though her heart sank at his words, and
her last hope of prevailing died away, she never returned to the
charge in any way, recognising that it was useless.

When the day for his departure came, there were no scenes; even
Trixie, who felt it most, was calm, for, after all, Mark would not be
so very far away, he had said she might come and see him sometimes;
the other two were civil, and cold, there being that curious latent
antipathy between them and him which sometimes exists between members
of a family.

Mr. Ashburn had mumbled his good-byes with a touch of emotion and even
shame in his manner as he shuffled away to his office. 'I don't want
you to feel we've cast you off,' he had said nervously. 'Your mother
says rather more than she exactly feels at times; but it's better for
you to go, my boy, better for all parties concerned. Only, if you find
yourself in--in any difficulties, come back to us, or--that is,' he
amended, 'write, or come to me at the office, that will be better,
perhaps.'

But Mrs. Ashburn's last words were, 'Good-bye, Mark. I never thought
to part with a son of mine in anger; we may never meet again, but you
may live to be sorry for the grief you have caused your mother, when
you stand one day over her grave.'

This would have been more impressive if Mrs. Ashburn had not been so
much addicted to indulging in such dol