Brief were the hours given to sleep that night, and troubled the slumber that locked her senses in forgetfulness. On the next morning, the trembling hand of her husband, as he lifted his cup to his lips, and the unrefreshed and jaded appearance of her son, told but too plainly their abuse of nature's best energies. With her husband, Mrs. Graham could not bring herself to speak upon the subject. But she felt that her duty as a mother was involved in regard to her son, and therefore she early took occasion to draw him aside, and remonstrate against the course of folly upon which he was entering. "You were out late last night, Alfred," she said, in a mild tone. "I was in at twelve, Ma." "But that was too late, Alfred." "I don't know, Ma. Other young men are out as late, and even later, every night," the young man said, in a respectful tone. "I rode out with Charles Williams in the afternoon, and then went with him to a wine party at night." "I must tell you frankly, Alfred, that I like neither your companion in the afternoon, nor your company in the evening." "You certainly do not object to Charles Williams. He stands as high in society as I do." "His family is one of respectability and standing. But his habits, I fear, Alfred, are such as will, ere long, destroy all of his title to respectful estimation." "You judge harshly," the young man said, colouring deeply. "I believe not, Alfred. And what is more, I am convinced that you stand in imminent danger from your association with him." "How?" was the quick interrogatory. "Through him, for instance, you were induced to go to a wine party last night." "Well?" "And there induced to drink too much." "Mother!" "I saw you when you came in, Alfred. You were in a sad condition." For a few moments the young man looked his mother in the face, while an expression of grief and mortification passed over his own. "It is true," he at length said, in a subdued tone, "that I did drink to excess, last evening. But do not be alarmed on that account. I will be more guarded, in future. And let me now assure you, most earnestly, that I am in no danger: that I am not fond of wine. I was led to drink too much, last evening, from being in a company where wine was circulated as freely as water. I thought you looked troubled, this morning, but did not dream that it was on my account. Let me, then, urge you to banish from your mind all fears in regard to me." "I cannot banish such fears, my son, so long as I know that you have dangerous associates. No one is led off, no one is corrupted suddenly." "But I do not think that I have dangerous associates." "I am sure you have, Alfred. If they had not been such, you would not have been led astray, last night. Go not into the way of temptation. Shun the very beginnings of evil. Remember Pope's warning declaration:-- "'Vice, to be hated, needs but to be seen,' &c." "Indeed, indeed, Ma, you are far too serious about this matter." "No, my son, I cannot be!"