d, and the voice and step of a man--dreaded
sounds--were audible, a thrill of terror ran over this little group.
Mrs. Dennistoun sprang to her feet and placed herself between the
intruder and the young mother, while Elinor gathered up, covering him
all over, so that he disappeared altogether, her child in her arms.

"It is John," said Mrs. Dennistoun. "God be thanked, it is only John."

But Elinor, quite overcome by the shock, burst suddenly into tears, to
which the baby responded by a vigorous cry, not at all relishing the
sudden huddling up among its shawls to which it had been subjected. It
may be supposed what an effect this cloudy side of the happiness, which
he had not been able to deny to himself made a very pretty scene, had
upon John. He said, not without a little offence, "I am sure I beg your
pardon humbly. I'll go away."

Elinor turned round her head, smiling through her tears. "It was only
that you gave me a fright," she said. "I am quite right again; don't,
oh, don't go away! unless you object to the sight of baby, and to hear
him cry; but he'll not cry now, any more than his silly mother. Mamma,
make John sit down and tell us--Oh, I am sure he has something to tell
us--Perhaps I took comfort too soon; but the very sight of John is a
protection and a strength," she said, holding out her hand to him. This
sudden change of front reduced John, who had been perhaps disposed for a
moment to stand on his dignity, to utter subjection. He neither said nor
even thought a word against the baby, who was presently unfolded again,
and turned once more the toes of comfort towards the fire. He did not
approach too near, feeling that he had no particular share in the scene,
and indeed cut an almost absurd figure in the midst of that group, but
sat behind, contemplating it from a little distance against the fire.
The evening had grown dark by this time, but the two women, absorbed
by their worship, had wanted no light. It had happened to John by an
extreme piece of luck to catch the express train almost as soon as Lady
Mariamne had left him, and to reach the station at Hurrymere before the
February day was done.

"You have something to tell us, John--good news or bad?" Mrs. Dennistoun
said.

"Good; or I should not have come like this unannounced," he said. "The
post is quick enough for bad. I think you may be quite at your ease
about the child--no claim will be made on the child. Elinor, I think,
will not be disturbed