Perhaps Clio would have scorned the instinct that made a Charnock unable to enjoy a much-needed meal in the presence of mother and of love till the traces of the accident and the long walk had been removed. His old nurse hurried after--ostensibly to see that his linen was at hand, but really to have her share of the petting and congratulation; and Lenore stood a little embarrassed, till Mrs. Poynsett held out her arms, with the words, "My dear child!" and again she dropped on her knee by the couch, and nestled close in thankful joy. Presently however, she raised herself, and said sadly, almost coldly, "I am afraid you have been surprised into this." "I must love one who so loves my boy," was the ardent answer. "I couldn't help it!" said the maiden, again abandoning herself to the tenderness. "Oh! it is so good of you!" "My dear, dear daughter!" "Only please give me one mother's kiss! I have so longed for one." "Poor motherless child! My sweet daughter!" Then after a pause Eleonora said, "Indeed, I'll try to deserve better; but oh! pray forgive me, if I cost him much more pain and patience than I am worth." "He thinks you well worth anything, and perhaps I do," said Mrs Poynsett, who was conquered, won over, delighted more than by either of the former brides, in spite of all antecedents. "Then will you always trust me?" said Eleonora, with clasped hands, and a wondrous look of earnest sincerity on her grave open brow and beautiful pensive dark blue eyes. "I _must_, my dear." "And indeed I don't think I could help holding to _him_, because he seems my one stay and hope here; and now I know it is all right with you, indeed it is such happiness as I never knew." She laid her head down again in subdued joy and rest: but the pause was broken by Frank's return; and a moment after, in darted the Peri in her pink cashmere costume, with a glow transforming her usually colourless face. "Dear, dear Frank, I'm so glad!" she cried, bestowing her kiss; while he cried in amazement, "Is it Rose? Is there a fancy ball?" "Only Aladdin's Cave. I'm just out of it; and while Jenny is keeping up games, and Edith is getting up a charade, I could dash in to see that Frank was all there, and more too. The exam, is safe, eh?" "I trust so," said Frank; "the list will not come just yet; but I am told I am certain of a pass--indeed, that I stand high as to numbers." "That's noble!--Now, Mrs. Poynsett, turn him out as soon as he has eaten his dinner. We want any one who can keep up a respectable kind of a row. I say, will you two do Ferdinand and Miranda playing at chess? You look just like it."