al
ecstasy.

Katherine became almost perplexed.

"My dearest, what is it?" she asked at last.

"Oh! it's only that you're so perfect, mother," he said. "You make me
feel so safe somehow. I'm never afraid when you are there."

"Afraid of what?" she asked. A hope came upon her that he had grown
nervous of riding, and wanted her to help him to retire gracefully from
the matter. But his next words undeceived her. He threw himself back
against the pillow and clasped his hands under his head.

"That's just it," he said. "I don't know exactly what I am afraid of,
and yet I do get awfully scared at times. I suppose, mother, if one's
in a good position--the position we're in, you know--nobody can ill-use
one very much?"

Lady Calmady's eyes blazed with indignation. "Ill-use you? Who has ever
dared to hint at, to dream of such a thing, dear Richard?"

"Oh, no one--no one! Only I can't help wondering about things, you
know. And some--some people do get most awfully ill-used. I can't help
seeing that."

Katherine paused before answering. The boy did not look at her. She
spoke with quiet conviction, her eyes gazing out into the dimness of
the room.

"I know," she said, almost reluctantly. "And perhaps it is as well you
should know it too, though it is sad knowledge. People are not always
very considerate of one another. But ill-usage cannot touch you, my
dearest. You are saved by love, by position, by wealth."

"You are sure of that, mother?"

"Sure? Of course I am sure, darling," she answered. Yet even while
speaking her heart sank.

Richard remained silent for a space. Then he said, with certain
hesitancy: "Mother, tell me, it is true then that I am rich?"

"Quite true, Dick."

"But sometimes people lose their money."

Katherine smiled.--"Your money is not kept in a stocking, dearest."

"I don't suppose it is," the boy said, turning towards her. "But don't
banks break?"

"Yes, banks break. But a good many broken banks would not affect you.
It is too long a story to tell you now, Dickie, but your income is very
safe. It would almost need a revolution to ruin you. You are rich now;
and I am able to save considerable sums for you yearly."

"It's--it's awfully good of you to take so much trouble for me,
mother," he interrupted, stroking her bare arm again delicately.

To Katherine his half-shy endearments were the most delicious thing in
life--so delicious that at moments she could hardly endure them. They
ma