Minute  after  minute  passed  on  and  all  was  silent  save  the
fainter  gaspmgs  of  the  boy.  G-radnally,  low  rusthng  move-
ments and  faint  mui-mura,  mixed  with  the  sweet  and  soothing
whis^jers  of  Muriel,  came  to  him  from  the  couch.  He  remained
motionless,  his  mind  blank  ajid  cold.  In  a  minnte  oi'  two
Mni-iel  spoke  to  him.
"  She  has  recovered,  John."

His  hand  fell  fram  his  brow  as  he  heard  her  words,  and  lil't^
iag  his  white  face,  he  moved  noiselessly  across  the  room,  closed
the  windows,  and  came  to  the  pale  lady's  side.
"Mother,"  he  said,  kneeling  by  her,  and  tenderly  folding
her  in  his  arms,  "  I  would  not  have  told  you  if  I  could  have
kept  it  from  you."


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432  HAEEINGTOH.
"  Hush  I"  she  murmured.  "  You  did  well.  It  was  terrible,
but  I  had  to  know  it.  Come,  I  am  ready  now  for  the  rest.
Bring  Charles  here,  and  let  me  kaow  all.  I  will  lie  here  and
listen.     Do  not  fear.     I  can  bear  everything  now."

Rising  to  his  feet,  he  crossed  the  room,  lifted  the  boy  from
the  floor  as  lightly  as  though  ho  were  a  baby,  and  held  him
face  to  face  at  arms'  length  before  him.  The  hapless  Tug-
mutton,  dangling  broad-limbed  and  big-footed  between  the
strong  supporting  hands,  stared  with  blobber  visage,  ashen
with  fright  and  grief,  and  with  mouth,  eyes,  and  nostrils  wildly
open,  mto  the  white  face  smihi^  into  his,  with  a  sraile  gentle
eyen  in  its  ghasthness.
