Again those domestic spectres which had so appalled her poor timorous spirit rose before her. A desolate, dull fireside--her own tendency to melancholy--her poor maimed suffering, and, alas, too often peevish partner--encroaching, unmanageable servants. The cook, with her careless, saucy ways--the butler so indifferent and negligent--and her own maid, that Randall, who in secret tyrannized over her, exercising the empire of fear to an extent which Catherine, alive as she was to these evils, did not suspect. And again she asked herself, if these things were disagreeable now, when Catherine was here to take care of her, what would they be when she was left alone? And then such a sweet picture of happiness presented itself to tempt her--Catherine settled there--settled there forever. That handsome, lively young man, with his sweet, cordial ways and polite observance of every one, sitting by their hearth, and talking, as he did, to the general of old days and military matters, the only subject in which this aged military man took any interest, reading the newspaper to him, and making such lively, pleasant comments as he read! How should _she_ ever get through the debates, with her breath so short, and her voice so indistinct and low? The general would lose all patience--he hated to hear her attempt to read such things, and always got Catherine or the young lieutenant-colonel to do it. Oh! it was a sore temptation. But this poor, dear, good creature resisted it. "My love," she said, after a little pause, daring which this noble victory was achieved--laugh if you will at the expression, but it _was_ a noble victory over self--"my love," she said, "don't tempt your poor mother beyond her strength. Gladly, gladly, as far as we are concerned, would we enter into this arrangement; but it must not be. No, Catherine; Edgar must not quit his profession. It would not only be a very great sacrifice I am sure now, but it would lay the foundation of endless regrets in future. No, my darling girl, neither his happiness nor your happiness shall be ever sacrificed to mine. A life against a few uncertain years! No--no." The mother was inflexible. The more these good children offered to give up for her sake, the more she resolved to suffer no such sacrifice to be made.