se.'

'O! Ferdinand, I dare not express the thoughts that rise upon me; yet
I would say that, had I but my child, I could live in peace; how, or
where, I care not.'

'Dearest mother, you unman me.'

'It is very wicked. I am a fool. I never, no! never shall pardon myself
for this night, Ferdinand.'

'Sweet mother, I beseech you calm yourself. Believe me we shall indeed
meet very soon, and somehow or other a little bird whispers to me we
shall yet be very happy.'

'But will you be the same Ferdinand to me as before? Ay! There it is, my
child. You will be a man when you come back, and be ashamed to love your
mother. Promise me now,' said Lady Armine, with extraordinary energy,
'promise me, Ferdinand, you will always love me. Do not let them make
you ashamed of loving me. They will joke, and jest, and ridicule all
home affections. You are very young, sweet love, very, very young, and
very inexperienced and susceptible. Do not let them spoil your frank
and beautiful nature. Do not let them lead you astray. Remember Armine,
dear, dear Armine, and those who live there. Trust me, oh! yes, indeed
believe me, darling, you will never find friends in this world like
those you leave at Armine.'

'I know it,' exclaimed Ferdinand, with streaming eyes; 'God be my
witness how deeply I feel that truth. If I forget thee and them, dear
mother, may God indeed forget me.'

'My Ferdinand,' said Lady Armine, in a calm tone, 'I am better now. I
hardly am sorry that I did come now. It will be a consolation to me
in your absence to remember all you have said. Good night, my beloved
child; my darling child, good night. I shall not come down to-morrow,
dear. We will not meet again; I will say good-bye to you from the
window. Be happy, my dear Ferdinand, and as you say indeed, we shall
soon meet again. Eight-and-forty weeks! Why what are eight-and-forty
weeks? It is not quite a year. Courage, my sweet boy! let us keep up
each other's spirits. Who knows what may yet come from this your first
venture into the world? I am full of hope. I trust you will find all
that you want. I packed up everything myself. Whenever you want anything
write to your mother. Mind, you have eight packages; I have written them
down on a card and placed it on the hall table. And take the greatest
care of old Sir Ferdinand's sword. I am very superstitious about that
sword, and while you have it I am sure you will succeed. I have ever
thought that had he taken it with