"Betty, it is good that she will be saved from anything worse. It is good to have it found out beforehand." "Oh, yes, of course; but she won’t think of that. With all the wedding guests coming, how can she have time to be thankful that she is saved from marrying a selfish, bad man? Charles, it is a shame! Somebody ought to be at hand to step in and take Harrington’s place. If I were a man, I’d throw myself at her feet and offer to marry her. Say, Charles, why don’t you do it yourself?" declared Betty romantically. The heart of the young man leaped up with a great bound, and a flood of color went over his face and neck. But the parlor was darkened, and, moreover, the girls in the carryall were diligently calling; so Betty vanished to impart the news, and Charles was alone for the moment, with a new thought, which almost took his breath from him. Then down the oaken staircase, with soft, lady-like, but decided rustle, came Madam Winthrop. Behind her, nervous, protesting, came her husband’s anxious footsteps. "But, Mother, really, it won’t do. We couldn’t go, you know, under the circumstances." "Don’t say another word, Mr. Winthrop," Charles heard his mother’s most majestic voice. "I intend to go, and there is no need of further talk. Depend upon it, Harrington will be able fully to explain all this impossible story when he arrives, and it is not for his family to lose faith in him." "But, Mother, you don’t understand," protested her husband, still hastening after her and putting out a detaining hand. "Indeed, I do understand," said the woman’s voice coldly. "I understand that my boy is being persecuted. It is you, apparently, who do not understand. I am his mother, and I intend to stand by him, and not let a breath of this wretched scandal touch him. The wedding will go on as planned, of course, and what would the world think if his family were not present? How could you possibly explain your absence except by bringing out these most unfatherly suspicions? No, Mr. Winthrop, there is all the more need of haste, that we may forestall any of these wicked rumors. Let us start at once." "But, Janet——" "No! You needn’t ’But Janet’ me. I don’t wish to hear another word. I’m going, no matter what you say, and so are Martha and the girls. You can stay at home if you like, I suppose. You are a man, and, of course, will do as you please. I will explain your absence the best way I can. But I’m going! Come, Martha; we will get into the back seat!" Charles stepped out of the darkened parlor and intercepted his mother. "Mother, really, you’re making a mistake. You have not stopped to think what you are going into. It won’t do for you and the girls to go. I will go with father——" But the imperious lady shook her son’s hand from her arm as though it had been a viper.