Successful! Had he been successful? Had she listened to him with favour? Michael felt that she had. But she would not long exult in her love. She little thought of the chain that was preparing for her. Melcomb, indeed! She need not fear the shallow coxcomb. There was another sort of wooer behind. But for the present her mother must know the liberties taken by the bird. The door of the cage would probably be fastened. Some such train of ideas flew rapidly through Sinson's perturbed fancy, as he stood a few minutes on the verge of the cliff. He soon turned hastily, and hurried straight across the country to Pendarrel Hall, where he arrived before the young lady who had excited his emotion. He sought its mistress without much ceremony. "Pray, sir," said she, on seeing him, "what rudeness is this? Did I desire your attendance?" "No, ma'am," he answered, cringing and trembling. "I beg pardon, ma'am; but I thought you might like to know that Miss Mildred has just met Mr. Trevethlan." "Well, sir!" Esther said, preserving a composure which bewildered the informant. "It may be nothing, ma'am, of course," Sinson continued. "But clasping arms, and hands pressed, and lips meeting...." "Be silent, sir!" exclaimed Mrs. Pendarrel, "and leave the room. I want no tales about Mr. Trevethlan." In increased astonishment, Michael obeyed. Mildred entered the apartment not very long after. "My dear Mildred," her mother said, "you should not stay out so late. These February evenings are damp and unhealthy; and besides, dear, you take too long walks. I should be glad if you would confine yourself to the garden. Take a carriage, my love, if you wish for a longer excursion." Mildred understood her mother well, and knew that this was a command. But amid the rapturous, though confused sensations, with which her heart was thrilling, she did not even notice the coincidence of the injunction with the scene through which she had passed not an hour before. She thought she should be happy at last. She had found a stay to uphold her in the times which she feared were at hand. She had pledged her word, plighted her troth. There was a home ready for her, if her own were made desolate--a haven to receive her, if the storm rose higher than she could bear. CHAPTER IX. Quand on est honnête homme, ou ne veut rien devoir A ce que des parens ont sur nous du pouvoir. On répugne à se faire immoler ce qu'on aime, Et l'on veut n'obtenir un coeur que de lui-même. Ne poussez pas ma mère à vouloir, par son choix, Exercer sur mes voeux la rigueur de ses droits. Otez-moi votre amour, et portez à quelqu'autre Les hommages d'un coeur aussi cher que le votre. Moliere.