"My dead mother; and her I love still!" said Charley earnestly. "Mr Vining," said Mrs Brandon, "I beg your pardon!" "What for?" cried Charley; "for showing me that Miss Bedford has found a true friend? Heaven bless you!" he said; and he raised her hand to his lips before turning away and walking to the window. At the end of a minute he was back at her side. "Mrs Brandon," he said, "will you also be my friend? Will you act as counsel and judge for us both? I will leave my fate in your hands. Think quietly over it all, talk to Ella, and see what is right. You will not judge me wrongly again," he said, smiling. "I cannot think calmly now," she said; "I am agitated and taken aback. I thought to castigate a libertine, and I have been, I fear, lacerating the heart of a true gentleman! Go now, I beg of you!" "But you will let me see her once--but for a minute?" pleaded Charley. "No!" said Mrs Brandon firmly. "It is her wish, _and mine_, that you should not see her now." "Now!" said Charley, catching at the word. "Then I may call again-- to-morrow--the next day?" "No!" said Mrs Brandon thoughtfully; "no! be content. I am but a weak woman, and I have shown myself to be no judge of human character. I must have proof and the words of others; when, if you come scatheless from the ordeal, I will be your friend." "You will!" cried Charley joyfully, as he caught her hands in his; and then what more he would have said was choked by his emotion. "When may I come again?" he said at last. "To see _me_?" queried Mrs Brandon smilingly. "Yes," replied Charley, with a sigh. "This day week," said Mrs Brandon. And five minutes after Charley's mare was galloping at such a rate that her rider did not see the grinning face of Max Bray peering at him from over a hedge. In fact, Charley saw nothing but his own thoughts till he reached the Court, where he encountered his father on the steps. "Where have you been?" said the old gentleman sternly, but with a shade of sadness in his voice. "To Copse Hall, Laneton," replied Charley boldly. "Is that where Miss Bedford now resides?" said the old gentleman, watching the play of his son's features. "Father," said Charley, "I never deceived you yet." "No, Charley," said Sir Philip with trembling voice. "Is it there?" "Yes!" replied the young man; and he turned away. Volume 2, Chapter IX. MRS BRANDON'S RECEPTIONS: SECOND VISITOR. Mrs Brandon returned to the drawing-room after Charley Vining's departure, to find Ella as she had left her, standing cold and motionless, supporting herself by one hand upon the chair-back, but ready to confront Mrs Brandon as she entered the room. "Has he gone?" whispered Ella, with a strange catching of the breath. "Yes," said Mrs Brandon, who watched her keenly; and then, as a half-suppressed sob forced itself from the wounded breast, Ella turned and began to walk slowly from the room.