to forget
it."

"You have not seen them since your return, I think?" said Maitland,
carelessly.

"No, sir," broke in the old lady; "my son has been so full of his
travels, and all the great people he met, that we have not got through
more than half of his adventures. Indeed, when you came up he was just
telling me of an audience he had with a Cabinet Minister--"

"Pooh, pooh, mother! Don't bore Mr. Maitland with these personal
details."

"I know it is the privilege of friendship to listen to these," said
Maitland, "and I am sincerely sorry that I have not such a claim."

"Well, sir, you ought to have that claim, were it only in consideration
of your own kind offer to Tony."

"Oh, pray, madam, do not speak of it," said Maitland, with something
nearer confusion than so self-possessed a gentleman was likely to
exhibit "When I spoke of such a project, I was in utter ignorance that
Mr. Butler was as much a man of the world as myself, and far and away
beyond the reach of any guidance of mine."

"What, then, were your intentions regarding me?" asked Tony, in some
curiosity.

"I entreat of you, madam," said Maitland, eagerly, "to forget all that
we said on that subject."

"I cannot be so ungrateful, sir. It is but fair and just that Tony
should hear of your generous plan. Mr. Maitland thought he 'd just take
you abroad--to travel with him--to go about and see the world. He 'd
call you his secretary."

"His what!" exclaimed Tony, with a burst of laughter. "His what,
mother?"

"Let _me_ try and explain away, if I can, the presumption of such a
project. Not now, however," said Maitland, look-ing at his watch, "for
I have already overstayed my time; and I have an appointment for this
evening,--without you will kindly give me your company for half a mile
up the road, and we can talk the matter over together."

Tony looked hesitatingly for a moment at bis mother; but she said, "To
be sure, Tony. I 'll give Mr. Maitland a loan of you for half an hour.
Go with him, by all means."

With all that courtesy of which he was a master, Maitland thanked her
for the sacrifice she was making, and took his leave.

"You have no objection to walk fast, I hope," said Maitland; "for I find
I am a little behind my time."

Tony assented with a nod, and they stepped out briskly; the device of
the speed being merely assumed to give Maitland an opportunity of
seeing a little more of his companion before entering upon any serious
conv