everything in his waking dream, he saw his mother descend and
leave the house again, enter the carriage, the steps were rattled up,
the door closed, and he followed it in imagination along the crowded
streets to the dismal front of Newgate, where, with vivid clearness, he
saw her enter the gloomy door and disappear.

"I can't bear it," he groaned, as he threw himself on the grass; "I
can't bear it. I feel as if I shall go mad."

At last the hot, beating sensation in his head grew less painful, for
the vivid pictures had ceased to form themselves as he mentally saw his
mother enter the prison, and in a dull, heavy, despairing fashion he
reclined there, waiting until fully two hours should have passed away
before he attempted to return to his mother's apartment to await her
return.

The time went slowly now, and he lay thinking of the meeting that must
be taking place, till, feeling that if he lay longer there he should
excite attention, he rose and walked slowly on, meaning to go right
round the Park, carrying out his original intention of trying to grow
calm.

He went slowly on, so as to pass the time, for he felt that it would be
unbearable to go back to his mother's room, and perhaps have the nurse
and maid fidgeting in and out.

The result was that he almost crept along thinking, but in a different
strain, for there were no more vivid pictures, his brain from the
reaction seeming drowsy and sluggish. Half unconscious now of the
progress of time, he sauntered on till the sight of the back of their
house roused the desire to go and see if Drew were still there; and,
hurrying now, he made his way round to the front, knocked, heard the
chain put up, and as it was opened saw the old housekeeper peering out
suspiciously.

The next minute he was in the hall, with the old woman looking at him
anxiously.

"Did my mother come?" he said hoarsely.

"Poor dear lady! Yes, my dear, looking so bent and strange she could
hardly speak to me; and when she lifted her veil I was shocked to see
how thin and pale she was."

"Yes, yes; but did she go up and see--"

"Mr Friend? Yes, my dear, and stayed talking to him for quite half an
hour before she came down. She did not ring first; but I saw her from
the window almost tottering, and leaning on the footman's arm. He had
quite to help her into the carriage. Oh, my dear, is all this trouble
never to have an end?"

"Don't talk to me, Berry; but please go down. I am goi