After looking down for a brief space, with his hands on
his knees, be rose, saying, " Well, mother, let her know
about him as soon as possible ; to-night, if you can/'

'^ And if| as I fear, this rather sends her heart away
from you, or, in other words, back to him, what then V^

'' You do not fear she would refuse me?"

" You would not ask her yet ?"

'^ Of course not. I would not even talk to you now, but
that I must go away before long, perhaps to stay away for
years. Remember, he has been dead nearly a twelve-
month, and I am not bound to feel any special tenderness
towards the memory of such a man ; but I should not like
to be refused. Do you fear that V^

'' And if she did refuse, Lancelot, you are a man, and
would get over the disappointment.^'

" Mother, I dare say it's all very absurd, but, in truth.
138 ABEL VRAK^S WIFE.
