Janetta was glad to see the loving way in which the boy ran into his grandmother's arms, and the tenderness with which she received him. Mrs. Brand courteously invited her guest into the drawing-room, but her attention was given far more to little Julian than to Janetta, and in two minutes he had poured the whole story into her ear. Mrs. Brand did not say much; she sat with him in her lap looking excessively pained and grieved; and that frozen look of pain upon her face made Janetta long--but long in vain--to comfort her. Tea was brought in by-and-bye, and then Julian was dismissed to his nursery--whither he went reluctantly, holding his face up to be kissed by Janetta, and asking her to "come back soon." And when he was gone, Mrs. Brand seemed unable to contain herself any longer, and broke forth passionately. "A curse is on us all--I am sure of that. The boy will be ruined, and by his father too." "Oh, no," Janetta said, earnestly. "His father would not really hurt him, I feel sure." "You do not know my son. He is like his own father, my husband--and that is the way my husband began with Wyvis." "But--he did not succeed?" "Not altogether, because Wyvis had a strong head, and drew back in time; but his father did him harm--untold harm. His father was a bad man. I do not scruple to say so, although he was my husband; and there is a taint, a sort of wild strain, in the blood. Even the boy inherits it; I see that too clearly. And Wyvis--Wyvis will not hold himself in for long. He is falling amongst those racing and betting men again--the Strangways were always to be feared--and before long he will tread in his father's steps and break my heart, and bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave." She burst into a passion of tears as she spoke. Janetta felt inexpressibly shocked and startled. This revelation of a dark side of life was new and appalling to her. She could hardly understand Mrs. Brand's dark anticipations. She took the mother's hand and held it gently between her own, uttering some few soothing sentences as she did so. Presently the poor woman's sobs grew quieter, and she returned the pressure of Janetta's hand. "Thank you, my dear," she said at last. "You have a very kind heart. But it is no use telling me to be comforted. I understand my sons, as I understood my husband before them. They cannot help it. What is in the blood will come out." "Surely," said Janetta, in a very low tone, "there is always the might and the mercy of God to fall back upon--to help us when we cannot help ourselves." "Ah, my dear, if I could believe in that I should be a happier woman," said Mrs. Brand, sorrowfully. Janetta stayed a little longer, and when she went the elder woman allowed herself to be kissed affectionately, and asked in a wistful tone, as Julian had done, when she would come again.