risis as the French
Revolution,--most English people looked back with horror on the extreme
opinions of that time. If Mrs. Halifax had a weak point, it was her
prejudice against anything French or Jacobinical. Partly, from that
tendency to moral conservatism which in most persons, especially women,
strengthens as old age advances; partly, I believe, from the terrible
warning given by the fate of one--of whom for years we had never
heard--whose very name was either unknown to, or forgotten by, our
children.

"John, can't you speak? Don't you see the frightful danger?"

"Love, try and be calmer."

"How can I? Remember--remember Caroline."

"Nay, we are not talking of her, but of a girl whom we know, and have
had good opportunity of knowing. A girl, who, whatever may have been
her antecedents, has lived for six months blamelessly in our house."

"Would to Heaven she had never entered it! But it is not too late. She
may leave--she shall leave, immediately."

"Mother!" burst out Guy. Never since she bore him had his mother heard
her name uttered in such a tone.

She stood petrified.

"Mother, you are unjust, heartless, cruel. She shall NOT leave; she
shall NOT, I say!"

"Guy, how dare you speak to your mother in that way?"

"Yes, father, I dare. I'll dare anything rather than--"

"Stop. Mind what you are saying--or you may repent it."

And Mr. Halifax, speaking in that low tone to which his voice fell in
serious displeasure, laid a heavy hand on the lad's shoulder. Father
and son exchanged fiery glances. The mother, terrified, rushed between
them.

"Don't, John! Don't be angry with him. He could not help it,--my poor
boy!"

At her piteous look Guy and his father both drew back. John put his
arm round his wife, and made her sit down. She was trembling
exceedingly.

"You see, Guy, how wrong you have been. How could you wound your
mother so?"

"I did not mean to wound her," the lad answered. "I only wished to
prevent her from being unjust and unkind to one to whom she must show
all justice and kindness. One whom I respect, esteem--whom I LOVE."

"Love!"

"Yes, mother! Yes, father! I love her. I intend to marry her."

Guy said this with an air of quiet determination, very different from
the usual impetuosity of his character. It was easy to perceive that a
great change had come over him; that in this passion, the silent growth
of which no one had suspected, he was most thoroughly