"Dick, my darling, handsome son, kiss me--once only. And you'll marry her, won't you, and make her happy? One kiss, my own boy." She uttered a hoarse cry, for he looked down at her with a look of loathing, and thrust her away. "Mother? No!" he cried. "I can't call you that. Woman, you thought to bless me, and what you have done comes upon me like a curse. Don't touch me. Don't come near me. Take away your hands. I cannot bear it." She clung to him; but he tore her hands away, and pushed her from him. "Dick," she cried, throwing herself on her knees to him, and embracing his knees. "Your mother. One loving word." "I can't," he gasped--"I can't. It is too much. An impostor--a pretender; and now to be an outcast! My God! what have I done that I should suffer this? Oh, Tiny! My love--my love!" Those last words seemed torn from his breast in a low, hoarse whisper, as, breaking from the prostrate woman, he rushed away, right into the woods--the undergrowth bending and snapping as he passed on; till, with a groan of despair, he threw himself upon the earth, and lay there, in the deep shade, with his face buried in his hands. Volume 2, Chapter XIX. WITH THE OWNER. How long Richard lay there he did not know. To him, it seemed like a year of torment, during which, in a wildly fevered state, he went over, again and again, the narrative he had heard; tried to find a flaw in it, but in vain. It was too true--too circumstantial; and at last, in a dazed, heavy way, he raised his haggard face, with his hair roughened, and wrinkled brow, to see Humphrey sitting upon a fallen tree by his side. "Ah, Humphrey," he said, in a calm, sad voice. "How long have you been there?" "Ever since, sir," said the young man. "I followed you." "Then you heard?" "Every word, sir. I couldn't help it, though. I didn't want to listen." Richard bowed his head, and remained with his chin upon his breast. "I had left Polly, sir--God bless her! she'd made me very happy with what she said--and I was taking a short cut back to try and catch you, sir, when I came upon you sudden like." "Yes," said Richard, looking him full in the face. "But it was no fault of mine. I thought I was too happy for it to last. But I'll be a man over it. Humphrey," he exclaimed, rousing himself, "they educated me to be a gentleman, and I won't belie them there. Once for all, I am very sorry, and I'll make you every restitution in my power." "Well, sir, I did wonder why she was always so hard to me: but I don't understand you, sir," said Humphrey, quietly. "Don't sir me, man," exclaimed Richard, passionately. "Don't be cross with me about it, Master Dick," said Humphrey, smiling; "'taint my fault." "No, no, my good fellow, I know. Oh, it was monstrous!" He turned away his head. "Do you think it's all true, Master Richard," said Humphrey, quietly; "it seems so wild-like." "True enough. Oh yes, it's true. But there, we won't talk."