to the echo of his firm footsteps dying away, and creeping
guiltily to a side-door she opened it, and watched yearningly his
retreating figure till it had disappeared.

"Why did I never love him till now?" she murmured sobbingly. "Now, when
he despises me--when he will not even kiss me?--" She leaned against the
half-open door in an attitude of utter dejection, not caring to move,
listening intently with a vague hope of hearing her husband's returning
tread. A lighter step than his, however, came suddenly along from the
other side of the passage and startled her a little--it was Ernest,
looking the picture of boyish health and beauty. He was just going out
for his usual ride--he lifted his cap with a pretty courtesy as he saw
her, and said--

"Good-morning, mother!"

She looked at him with new interest,--how handsome the lad was!--how
fresh his face!--how joyously clear those bright blue eyes of his! He,
on his part, was moved by a novel sensation too--his mother,--his proud,
beautiful, careless mother had been crying--he saw that at a glance, and
his young heart beat faster when she laid her white hand, sparkling all
over with rings, on his arm and drew him closer to her.

"Are you going to the Park?" she asked gently.

"Yes." Then recollecting his training in politeness and obedience he
added instantly--"Unless you want me."

She smiled faintly. "I never do want you--do I, Ernest?" she asked half
sadly. "I never want my boy at all." Her voice quivered,--and Ernest
grew more and more astonished.

"If you do, I'll stay," he said stoutly, filled with a chivalrous desire
to console his so suddenly tender mother of his, whatever her griefs
might be. Her eyes filled again, but she tried to laugh.

"No dear--not now,--run along and enjoy yourself. Come to me when you
return. I shall be at home all day. And,--stop Ernest--won't you kiss
me?"

The boy opened his eyes wide in respectful wonderment, and his cheeks
flushed with surprise and pleasure.

"Why, mother--of course!" And his fresh, sweet lips closed on hers with
frank and unaffected heartiness. She held him fast for a moment and
looked at him earnestly.

"Tell your father you kissed me--will you?" she said. "Don't forget!"

And with that she waved her hand to him, and retreated again into her
own apartment. The boy went on his way somewhat puzzled and
bewildered--did his mother love him, after all? If so, he thought--how
glad he was!--how very glad! and w