"With its humiliations combining Exaltations sublime, and yet diviner abasements, Aspirations from something most shameful here upon earth, and In our poor selves, to something most perfect above in the heavens." "I do not care for poetry, Jessy, but this book appears to reveal a soul. I will take it to my room; it may have something to say to me." But Dr. Macrae did not read any book that night. To sit still with closed eyes and consider what this sudden association of Lady Cramer and his son might mean was the most urgent of his desires. Until near midnight he thought over the circumstance in every possible way, coming finally to the conclusion that Lady Cramer's attentions to Donald were a most delicate revelation of her love for himself; and this conviction brought instantly an acute longing for her presence. He felt that he must reach London as soon as it was possible. For some weeks he had anticipated this visit and made the necessary preparations for it. The finest clothing was ready to put into his valise, and there was little to do except to secure a minister to supply his pulpit for one Sabbath. This was easily accomplished, and on a fine, bright Monday morning he took a very early train southward. "I am sure," said Marion, "Father has taken this journey purposely to see Donald again. It is so good of him, and I do hope Donald will treat him properly." "Nonsense!" answered Mrs. Caird. "Your father has gone to London to see Lady Cramer." "Aunt, he told me he hoped Donald would be in London; he said he wished to see him." "Then why did he not start for London at once?" "He thought Donald would be delayed and detained by Lady Cramer. I thought so also. She liked to have young men waiting upon her. She always found them plenty to do. Father wanted to see Donald again." "If your father wants anything, it is not his way to wait three or four days for it." "Anyway, I do not believe my father and Lady Cramer are in love with each other. It is not likely." "Do you think Richard and yourself have captured all the love in the world? Your father is a very handsome man and Lady Cramer is a beautiful woman. Why should they not be in love with each other?" "They are so old, Aunt." "Richard is not what I would call a young man. He will be thirty-five years old." "Oh, no! He is thirty, and he has never been married. I am his first love. He told me so, many times he told me so." "That is no wonder. All men say such things. Their words stand for just what you take them at. When I was a girl we used to sing a duet in which the soprano declared she had heard of a land where every man was true, where the women issued all orders, and the men did as they were told to do, and 'All was sweet serenity, And life a long devotion.'