ladies, neither of whom advanced towards the other. Then Mrs. Warrender went hurriedly forward with extended hands. "Theo told me you were coming. I am very glad to see you." They took each other's hands, and Mrs. Warrender bent forward to give the kiss of welcome. They were two equal powers, meeting on debatable ground, fulfilling all the necessary courtesies. Not like this should Theo's mother have met his wife. It should have been a young creature whom she could have taken into her arms, who would have flung herself upon the breast of his mother, or at her knees, like a child of her own. Instead of this, they were two equal powers, if, indeed, Lady Markland were not the principal, the one to give and not receive. Mrs. Warrender felt herself almost younger, less imposing altogether than the new member of the family, to whom it should have been her part to extend a tender patronage, to draw close to her, and set at her ease. Things were better when this difficult first moment was over. It was suitable and natural that Lady Markland should give to Chatty that kiss of peace--and then they all seated themselves in a little circle. "You have just arrived," Lady Markland said. "Yesterday. We have scarcely settled down." "And you enjoyed your stay in town? Chatty at least --Chatty must have enjoyed it." Lady Markland turned to her with a soft smile. "Oh yes, very much," said Chatty, almost under her breath. And then there was a brief pause, after which, "I hope Geoff is quite well," Mrs. Warrender said. "Quite well, and I was to bring you his love." Lady Markland hesitated a little, and said, "I should like if I might--to consult you about Geoff." "Surely," Mrs. Warrender replied, and again there was a pause. In former times, Chatty would not have perceived the embarrassment of her two companions: but she had learned to divine since her three weeks' experience. She rose up quietly. "I think, mamma, you will be able to talk better if I go away." "I don't know, my dear," said Mrs. Warrender, with a slight tremulousness. Lady Markland did not say anything. She retained the advantage of the position, not denying that she wished it, and Chatty accordingly, putting down her work, went away. Mrs. Warrender felt the solemnity of the interview more and more; but she did not know what to say. Presently Lady Markland took the initiative. She rose and approached nearer to Mrs. Warrender's side. "I want you to tell me," she said, herself growing for the first time a little tremulous, "if you dislike this very much--for Theo." "Dislike it! oh, how can you think so? His happiness is all I desire, and if you----" "If I can make him happy? that is a dreadful question, Mrs. Warrender. How can any one tell that? I hope so; but if I should deceive myself----" "That was not what I meant: there is no happiness for him, but that which you can give: if you think him good enough--that was what I was going to say."