"And he died," Randolph said, restraining his emotion, "with words of love upon his lips. 'I mentioned'--it was spoken with his latest breath--'I mentioned Esther Pendarrel. She was once very dear to me'--he then referred to his disappointment--'but I have often thought I was not indifferent to her. If so, she has my pardon.' Oh, madam, I repeat, indeed, something like the words, but it were vain for me to express the feeling with which they were uttered. Alas, I recked not of the promise they contained. I only looked on the dark side of the picture. I chose to make it impossible to ascertain the truth. Entrusted with what was really a message of peace, I have perpetrated animosity. It is I, it is I, who should implore pardon." Silence followed this speech. Esther fell into a reverie on the past. It was of a more tranquil character than those which of late had caused so much anxiety to her friends. At length it was broken by the return of her daughters. She called Mildred to her side. "You have deprived me of the power," she said, with a mournful expression strangely at variance with the words, "little rebel, to perform a mother's part. Yet I fain would do it." She placed Mildred's hand in that of Randolph. "Take her," she said, "Randolph Trevethlan, and may you know a happiness which has never been mine." Mildred threw herself into her mother's arms. "My children," Esther continued, "you will make your home here, till.... And where is Helen?" Mrs. Winston said, that Helen would perhaps pay her another visit. And in a short time Mrs. Pendarrel quitted the room. She left more of anxiety than of comfort behind her. "Oh, Gertrude," Mildred exclaimed, "how fearfully she is changed!" The alteration was indeed too evident to escape notice. "Do not fear now," Mrs. Winston said; "it has been a trying time, but it is over now. All will be well, Mildred dear." It was kindly said, and well it would be if the anticipation were fulfilled. But the agitation through which Esther had gone was too likely to leave its traces for many days to come.