“'Dear Sir,--When I received your note on Monday morning, I was having leeches to my eye, and could n't answer it. Yesterday both eyes were closed, and it is only to-day that I can see to scratch these lines. If I had had a little more patience on the night I first met you, it would have been better for both of us. As it is, I receive all your explanation as frankly as it is given; and you 'll be lucky in life if nobody bears you more ill-will than--Yours truly, 'Robt. M'Gruder. “'If you come up to town again, look in on me at 27 Cannon Street, City. I do not say here, as Mrs. M'G, has not yet forgiven the black eye.'” “Oh, Tony! my own, dear, dear, true-hearted Tony!” cried his mother, as she flung her arms around him, and hugged him to her heart “I knew my own dear boy was as loyal as his own high-hearted father.” Tony was exceedingly puzzled to what precise part of his late behavior be owned all this enthusiastic fondness, and was curious also to know if giving black eyes to Scotchmen had been a trait of his father's. “And this was all of it, Tony?” asked she, eagerly. “Don't you think it was quite enough? I'm certain Dolly did; for she knew my voice, and cried out, 'Oh, Tony, how could you?' or something like that from the window. And that's a thing, mother, has been weighing heavily on my mind ever since. Has this unlucky freak of mine anything to do with Dolly's coming home?” “We 'll find that out later on, Tony; leave that to me,” said she, hurriedly; for with all her honesty, she could not bear to throw a cloud over his present happiness, or dash with sorrow the delight he felt at his friend's coming. “I don't suspect,” continued he, thoughtfully, “that I made a very successful impression on that Mrs. M'Grader the day I called on Dolly; and if she only connected me with this night's exploit, of course it's all up with me.” “Her husband bears you no grudge for it at all, Tony.” “That's clear enough; he's a fine fellow; but if it should turn out, mother, that poor Dolly lost her situation,--it was no great thing, to be sure; but she told me herself, it was hard enough to get as good; and if, I say, it was through me she lost it--” “You mustn't give yourself the habit of coining evil, Tony. There are always enough of hard and solid troubles in life without our conjuring up shadows and spectres to frighten us. As I said before, I 'll have a talk with Dolly herself, and I 'll find out everything.” “Do so, mother; and try and make her come often over here when I'm gone; she'll be very lonely yonder, and you 'll be such good company for each other, won't you?”