r days I was almost crazed by my
misfortunes; and then Mat sent for me. He was penitent, and wanted my
forgiveness, so they told me.'

'And you went?'

'Of course I went. I had a word to say to him that needed an answer, and
I was thankful for the opportunity to speak it. I dressed myself at
once, and went to the prison. Cyril cried to come with me, and slapped
me with his little hands when I refused to take him; but I only
smothered him with kisses. I remember how he struggled to get free, and
how indignant he was. "I don't love you one bit to-day, mamma! you are
not my pretty mamma at all." But I only laughed at his childish pet--my
bright, beautiful boy!--I can see him now.

'Mat looked utterly miserable; but his wretchedness did not seem to
touch me. The sin was his, and he must expiate it; it was I and my
children who were the innocent sufferers. He began cursing himself for
his mad folly, as he called it, and begged me over and over again to
forgive him. I listened to him for a few minutes, and then I looked at
him very steadily.

'"I will forgive you, Mat, and not say a hard word to you, if you will
promise me one thing."

'"And what is that?" he asked, seeming as though he dreaded my answer.

'"That you will never try to see me or my children again."'

CHAPTER XXXIII

'SHALL YOU TELL HIM TO-NIGHT?'

'Wouldst thou do harm, and still unharmed thyself abide?
None struck another yet, except through his own side.

* * * * *

From our ill-ordered hearts we oft are fain to roam,
As men go forth who find unquietness at home.'

TRENCH.

Michael raised his eyes and looked attentively at the woman before him;
but she did not seem to notice him--she was too much absorbed in her
miserable recital.

'I had made up my mind to say this to him from the moment I heard he was
in prison--he should have nothing more to do with me and the children.
It was for their sake I said it.

'He shrank back as though I had stabbed him, and then he began
reproaching me in the old way: "I had never loved him; from the first I
had helped to ruin him by my coldness; he was the most wretched man on
earth, for his own wife had deserted him;" but after a time I stopped
him.

'"It is too late to say all this now, Mat; you are quite right--I never
loved you. I was mad to marry you; we have never been suited to each
other