"I beg your pardon, sir," returned Edward. "She is so unlike you that I am
apt to forget the relationship."

"I know you do not always find your aunt's company agreeable," remarked
Mr. Dinsmore, "and I do not blame you on that account, yet I think it will
be an advantage to you, and especially to your sister, to have with you a
woman of her age and knowledge of the world. I wish I could go with you
myself, but I cannot think of leaving either my old father or your mother
in this time of trial."

"No, sir, oh no! Delightful as it would be to both of us for you to make
one of our little party, we would not for the world deprive dear mamma of
the support and comfort of your presence here; nor our dear old
grandfather either."




CHAPTER III.

"Filial ingratitude?
Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand
For lifting food to 't?" --_Shaks. Lear_.


"This is a very sudden resolve of yours, mother, isn't it?" Dr. Conly
asked, as they drove through the great gates at Ion, into the highway.

"It is, Arthur, for I had not dreamed of such a wild scheme on the part of