"You will not be angry, mamma?" "Angry, darling--with you!" "He is coming to speak to you to-morrow, mamma." "He loves you, Constance." "Yes, mamma." "And you love him." The young girl hid her face on her mother's neck. "You are not sorry, mamma, are you?" "I think only of your happiness, darling. I have no other object in life." "Oh, mamma, you are the sweetest, dearest mother in the world. It is ungrateful of me; but, mamma, I cannot help it." "I know, I know, my darling. What does his father say?" "He dues not know--no one knows. Are you not surprised, mamma?" "I think I have seen it for some time past, my sweet." "And you never mentioned it, mamma--never even whispered it?" "It was for you to speak first, Constance, and I waited." "I can scarcely believe it. Oh, mamma, mamma, I love him, I love him!" "Dear child! When does he intend to speak to his father?" "After he has seen you. He did intend to speak to both of you first before he said a word to me, but somehow, mamma--I don't know really how it happened, nor does he--Mamma, you are crying!" "I cannot help it, dear. You are my only one, my only one----" "But, mamma, we shall still be together. Julian says so. We shall never, never be separated." Emilia smiled sadly. "I have always liked Julian, dear, and if all should turn out well I am sure he will make you happy." "He loves you dearly, mamma. I shall be glad when to-morrow is over." "It will soon be over, dear child. Time passes quickly. Now go to sleep, my dear, dear child!" They kissed and embraced again and again, and then Constance's head sank upon the pillow, and she fell asleep with her mother's arm encircling her neck. Emilia lay awake for hours. Her daughter's confession had revived memories of the past, and she could not banish forebodings. Of all the young men whom she knew, Julian Burdier was the one she would have chosen for Constance, but she dreaded the coming meeting with his father. She could not explain her fears, but she was haunted by threatening shadows. Daylight was dawning when she fell asleep, and she rose unrefreshed from her bed. Constance, dressed, was sitting by her side when she awoke. Never had she seen her daughter look so beautiful; love made her radiant with angelic loveliness. "I want you to look very, very bright, mamma," said Constance. "I will help you dress." Engrossed in her own happy dreams she did not notice the tired expression on her mother's face, which, after a little while, wore away beneath the influence of Constance's gentle ministrations. "Julian will be here early, mamma," she said, when breakfast was over. "I don't know what to do with myself. Shall I go out, or remain at home? Hark! Yes; that is his step?" "Go to your bedroom, darling," said Emilia, with fond kisses, "and wait till I call you."