e to guard the sanctity of her son's house.

Having come to this conclusion, Mrs. Brudenell once more touched the
bell, and when Jovial made his appearance she said:

"Let the young ladies know that I am alone, and they may join me now."

In a few minutes Miss Brudenell and Miss Eleanora entered the room,
followed by the gentlemen, who had just left the dinner-table.

Coffee was immediately served, and soon after the guests took leave.

The young ladies also left the drawing-room, and retired to their
chambers to superintend the careful packing of some fine lace and
jewelry. The mother and son remained alone together--Mrs. Brudenell
seated upon her favorite back sofa and Herman walking slowly and
thoughtfully up and down the whole length of the room.

"Herman," said the lady.

"Well, mother?"

"I have been thinking about our winter in Washington. I have been
reflecting that myself and your sisters will have no natural protector
there."

"You never had any in Paris or in London, mother, and yet you got on
very well."

"That was a matter of necessity, then; you were a youth at college; we
could not have your company; but now you are a young man, and your
place, until you marry, is with me and my daughters. We shall need your
escort, dear Herman, and be happier for your company. I should be very
glad if I could induce to accompany us to the city."

"And I should be very glad to do so, dear mother, but for the
engagements that bind me here."

She did not ask the very natural question of what those engagements
might be. She did not wish to let him see that she knew or suspected his
attachment to Nora Worth, so she answered:

"You refer to the improvements and additions you mean, to add to
Brudenell Hall. Surely these repairs had better be deferred until the
spring, when the weather will be more favorable for such work?"

"My dear mother, all the alterations I mean to have made inside the
house can very well be done this winter. By the next summer I hope to
have the whole place in complete order for you and my sisters to return
and spend the warm weather with me."

The lady lifted her head. She had never known her son to be guilty of
the least insincerity. If he had looked forward to the coming of herself
and her daughters to Brudenell, to spend the next summer, he could not,
of course, be contemplating the removal of Nora Worth to the house.

"Then you really expect us to make this our home, as heretofore,