The rest of the time before retiring was passed in about as agreeable a way, till, at a nod from Mrs Glaire, Eve said, "Good night," being affectionately embraced by her aunt, and then turning to Dick, she bent over him. "Good night, dear Dick," she whispered, holding her cheek to be kissed, as she rested her hands upon his shoulders. "There, good night. For goodness' sake don't paw one about so." Eve remained motionless, with the tears gathering in her eyes, for a few moments, before bending down and kissing the young man's forehead. "Good night, dear darling Dick," she whispered. "I'm very sorry about all your troubles; but don't speak like that, it--it hurts me." The next moment she had taken up her candlestick and glided from the room. Richard Glaire gave himself an impatient twist in his chair, and lay back thinking of the warm, glowing beauties of Daisy Banks, when he started up in affright, so silently had his mother risen from her couch, advanced, laid her hands upon his shoulder, one crossed over the other, and said in a low, clear voice-- "Dick, you are thinking of Daisy Banks." "I--I thought you were asleep." he stammered. "I was never more wide awake, Richard--to your interests," said Mrs Glaire. "I don't know what you mean," he said, petulantly, as he gave the lamp-shade a twist, so that its light should not fall upon his face, and then changed his position a little. "Yes, you do, Richard--perfectly," said Mrs Glaire. "I said just now that you were thinking of Daisy Banks." "Yes, I heard you say so; and I said, I don't know what you mean." An angry retort was upon Mrs Glaire's lips, but she checked the hasty expression, and pressing her hands a little more firmly upon her son's shoulders, she went on-- "You know perfectly well what I mean Richard, and I must speak to you about that, as well as about the business." "Look here," exclaimed the young man, impatiently; "I'm tired and worried enough for one day. I'm going to bed." He started up, crossed to the side table, took a candle, and advancing to the lamp, was about to light it with a taper, when, to his surprise, his mother, who of late years had given up to him in everything, took candle and taper from his hands and pressed him back unresisting into his seat. "Richard, you are not going to bed till you have heard what I have to say." "I tell you I'm worn out and worried!" he exclaimed. "You were not too tired to go out and keep engagements," said Mrs Glaire, firmly. "Who told you I had been out to keep engagements?" retorted Richard, sharply. "My heart, Richard," said his mother. "I know as well as if I had seen you that you have been to-night to meet Daisy Banks." "What stuff, mother!" "As you have often been to meet her, Richard; tell me, do you wish to marry her?" "I marry that hoyden--that workman's daughter! Mother, are you mad?" "You are only a workman's son, sir."