There was a contraction of the young man's features, as an inkling of the meaning of his mother's hastily-spoken words flashed across his mind. Then, rising, he began to pace the room with impatient strides, for there was a sense of disappointment at his heart which he could not overcome; and in spite of his efforts, there seemed to be continually before him the sweet, timid face and the reclining figure that he had for a few minutes supported; while, as he pondered upon his mothers words, again piecing together her long narrative, it seemed to him that he was every minute being removed further and further from one who had made what in another case he would have called an impression upon a susceptible nature. It was as though each moment a deep, black gulf was opening wider and wider between them--a gulf that it would be impossible for him ever to pass. Then, as Mrs Norton watched him anxiously, he stood gazing from the window, telling himself that it was absurd to treat matters in such a light; that he had seen Isa Gernon but for a few minutes; that he had barely spoken to her; that she might be engaged to another; that she might be in disposition unamiable, and in tastes utterly opposed to his; that, in short, he was making an utter ass of himself. But, all the same, there were those two large, sad eyes ever before him, gazing reproachfully in his face from beyond that great gulf--ever widening more and more, more and more, till, impatiently stamping upon the floor, he made an angry effort to cast the "folly" from him, and went and knelt down by his mother's side. "I am sorry, Brace," she said, as her hand played, with all a proud mother's tenderness, amongst his fair, crisply-curling hair--"I am grieved that my words should have made so troublous an impression." "It is not that--it is not that! There, what am I saying?" he exclaimed, with assumed cheerfulness. "I've come home in high spirits, brimful of happiness, and ready to enjoy myself; so, dear mother, don't let us trouble about the past--let it be buried." "Yes, better so--far better so!" exclaimed Mrs Norton. "For our sakes, Brace, never refer to it before your father in any wise; for those incidents were so many shoals in the way of his happiness; but, Brace, I set myself to try and make his life happy, and sometimes I cannot help thinking that I have succeeded." "Indeed, no happier home than this could ever have existed, I'm sure," cried Brace, smiling in his mother's pleasant face. "But," he added, as he kissed her, laughing, "it does seem hard that when you have cured a husband of a roving disposition, you should have a son turn out far worse." Mrs Norton smiled, but a grave, sad expression swept the next moment over her face.