o take
possession. Rosey went off in quite a series of screams, peevishly
repressed by her husband, and always encouraged by mamma, who called
her son-in-law an unfeeling wretch. It must be confessed that Mrs. Clive
Newcome did not exhibit much strength of mind, or comfort her husband
much at a moment when he needed consolation.

From angry rebellion and fierce remonstrance, this pair of women now
passed to an extreme terror and desire for instantaneous flight. They
would go that moment--they would wrap the blessed child up in its
shawls--and nurse should take it anywhere--anywhere, poor neglected
thing. "My trunks," cries Mrs. Mackenzie, "you know are ready packed--I
am sure it is not the treatment which I have received--it is nothing but
my duty and my religion--and the protection which I owe to this
blessed unprotected--yes, unprotected, and robbed, and cheated, darling
child--which have made me stay a single day in this house. I never
thought I should have been robbed in it, or my darlings with their fine
fortunes flung naked on the world. If my Mac was here, you never
had dared to have done this, Colonel Newcome--no, never. He had his
faults--Mackenzie had--but he would never have robbed his own children!
Come away, Rosey, my blessed love, come let us pack your things, and let
us go and hide our heads in sorrow somewhere. Ah! didn't I tell you
to beware of all painters, and that Clarence was a true gentleman, and
loved you with all his heart, and would never have cheated you out of
your money, for which I will have justice as sure as there is justice in
England."

During this outburst the Colonel sat utterly scared and silent,
supporting his poor head between his hands. When the harem had departed
he turned sadly to his son. Clive did not believe that his father was
a cheat and a rogue. No, thank God! The two men embraced with tender
cordiality and almost happy emotion on the one side and the other. Never
for one moment could Clive think his dear old father meant wrong--though
the speculations were unfortunate in which he had engaged--though Clive
had not liked them; it was a relief to his mind that they were now come
to an end; they should all be happier now, thank God! those clouds of
distrust being removed. Clive felt not one moment's doubt but that they
should be able to meet fortune with a brave face; and that happier, much
happier days were in store for him than ever they had known since the
period of this