nullis penetrabilis astris"--in that sponge-like and cavernous
abode wherewith benignant Providence had suited the locality to the
creature.

CHAPTER VIII.

New imbroglio in that ever-recurring, never-to-be-settled question,
"What will he do with it?"

With a disappointed glare and a baffled shrug of the shoulder, Mr.
Darrell turned from the dining-room, and passed up the stairs to
Lionel's chamber, opened the door quickly, and extending his hand said,
in that tone which had disarmed the wrath of ambitious factions, and
even (if fame lie not) once seduced from the hostile Treasury-bench a
placeman's vote, "I must have hurt your feelings, and I come to beg your
pardon!"

But before this time Lionel's proud heart, in which ungrateful anger
could not long find room, had smitten him for so ill a return to
well-meant and not indelicate kindness. And, his wounded egotism
appeased by its very outburst, he had called to mind Fairthorn's
allusions to Darrell's secret griefs,--griefs that must have been indeed
stormy so to have revulsed the currents of a life. And, despite those
griefs, the great man had spoken playfully to him,--playfully in order
to make light of obligations. So when Guy Darrell now extended that
hand, and stooped to that apology, Lionel was fairly overcome. Tears,
before refused, now found irresistible way. The hand he could not take,
but, yielding to his yearning impulse, he threw his arms fairly round
his host's neck, leaned his young cheek upon that granite breast, and
sobbed out incoherent words of passionate repentance, honest, venerating
affection. Darrell's face changed, looking for a moment wondrous soft;
and then, as by an effort of supreme self-control, it became severely
placid. He did not return that embrace, but certainly he in no way
repelled it; nor did he trust himself to speak till the boy had
exhausted the force of his first feelings, and had turned to dry his
tears.

Then he said, with a soothing sweetness: "Lionel Haughton, you have
the heart of a gentleman that can never listen to a frank apology for
unintentional wrong but what it springs forth to take the blame to
itself and return apology tenfold. Enough! A mistake no doubt, on both
sides. More time must elapse before either can truly say that he does
not like the other. Meanwhile," added Darrell, with almost a laugh,--and
that concluding query showed that even on trifles the man was bent upon
either forcing or steali