boy."

"To the public you will be. But when we are together in private, we
shall be once more mother and son."

"I am afraid you will spoil all," said Jonas. "Old Granville will
suspect something if you seem to care too much for me."

The selfish nature of Jonas was cropping out, and his mother felt, with
a pang, that he would be reconciled to part with her forever for
the sake of the brilliant prospects and the large fortune which Mr.
Granville could offer him.

She was outwardly cold, but such affection as she was capable of she
expended on this graceless and ungrateful boy.

"You seem to forget that I may have some feeling in the matter," said
Mrs. Brent coldly, but with inward pain. "If the result of this plan
were to be that we should be permanently separated, I would never
consent to it."

"Just as you like, mother," said Jonas, with an ill grace. "I don't look
much like Phil."

"No, there will be a difficulty. Still Mr. Granville has never seen
Philip since he was three years old, and that is in our favor. He thinks
I am Mr. Brent's first wife."

"Shall you tell him?"

"I don't know. I will be guided by circumstances. Perhaps it may be
best. I wouldn't like to have it discovered that I had deceived him in
that."

"How are you going to manage about this place, mother?"

"I am going to write to your Uncle Jonas to take charge of it. I will
let him have it at a nominal rent. Then, if our plan miscarries we shall
have a place to come back to."

"Were you ever in Philadelphia, mother?"

"No; but there will be no trouble in journeying there. I shall pack
your clothes and my own to-night. Of course, Jonas, when you meet Mr.
Granville you must seem to be fond of him. Then you must tell him how
kind I have been to you. In fact, you must act precisely as Philip might
be expected to do."

"Yes, mother; and you must be careful not to call me Jonas. That will
spoil all, you know."

"Rest assured that I shall be on my guard. If you are as careful as I
am, Philip----"

Jonas burst into a guffaw at the new name.

"It's just like play-acting, mother," he said.

"But it will pay better," said Mrs. Brent quietly. "I think it will be
best for me to begin calling you Philip at once--that is, as soon as we
have left town--so that we may both get accustomed to it."

"All right, mother. You've got a good headpiece."

"I will manage things properly. If you consent to be guided by me, all
will be right."

"O