'Your most affectionate CLARA.' 'Transplantation has killed her--I knew it would!' said James, as Louis stood, with the note in his hand, as if not yet understanding the blow. 'Nay,' said the Earl, 'it is an age at which we could hardly hope she would long be spared. You could leave Mrs. James Frost with comfort?' 'Yes, Miss Mercy undertakes her--she is doing well--she would not hear of my staying. I must go on, the train starts at two,' he added, hastily, looking at the time-piece. 'We will send you,' said Lord Ormersfield. 'Take time to rest. You look very ill! You should have some luncheon.' 'No, thank you!' said James, at first with the instinct of resistance; but yielding and confessing, 'Charlotte went into hysterics, and I had nothing to eat before I came away.' Louis came forward from the window where he had been standing as in a dream, he laid his hand on James's shoulder, and said, 'I will go!' His voice was hardly audible, but, clearing it, and striving to recall his thoughts, he added, 'Father, I can be spared. The division is not coming on to-night, or you could get me a pair.' The Earl looked doubtfully at James. 'Yes, let me go,' said Louis. 'I must see her again. It has been mother and son between us.' And, hiding his face in his hands, he hurried out of the room. 'Let him come,' said James. 'If duty and affection claim a right, none have such as he.' 'I hesitate only as to acting unceremoniously by your uncle.' 'This is no moment for ceremony--no time to deprive her of whatever she loves best.' 'Be it so, then. His own feelings are his best passport, and well has she deserved all that he can ever feel! And, James, if she should express any desire to see me, if I can be of any use in settling matters, or could promote any better understanding with your uncle, I am ready at a moment's notice. I would come at once, but that many might be burdensome to your uncle and sister.' The two cousins were quickly on their way. James took a second-class ticket, the first time he had ever done so in travelling with his cousin. Fitzjocelyn placed himself beside him without remark. James dozed as well as the narrow seat would permit, and only woke to chafe at each halt, and Louis mused over the associations of those scenes, and last year's triumphant return. Had the change of habits truly hastened the decay of her powers? had her son's toil and success been merely to bring her home to the grave of her fathers, at the expense of so many heartburnings, separations, and dissensions? At least, he trusted that her last hours might be crowned by the peacemaker's joy, and that she might see strife and bitterness laid aside between Oliver, and Henry's only surviving son.