"Olivia," he said, "my darling, my darling!"

The heavy eyelids fluttered and lifted, and a pair of haggard, dark
eyes gazed up at him. A wan smile parted those pallid lips.

"Dear Jasper! I knew you would come. Have you seen the baby? It is a
boy."

"My own, I have thought only of you. My poor pale wife, how awfully
death-like you look!"

"But I am not going to die--Doctor Godroy says so," smiling gently.
"And now you must go, for I cannot talk. Only kiss me first, and look
at the baby."

Her voice was the merest whisper. He pressed his lips passionately to
the white face and rose up. Nurse and baby sat in state by the fire,
and a slender girl of fifteen years knelt beside them, and gazed in a
sort of rapture at the infant prodigy.

"Look, papa--look? The loveliest little thing, and nurse says the very
picture of you!"

Not very lovely, certainly; but Sir Jasper Kingsland's eyes lighted
with pride and joy as he looked. For was it not a boy? Had he not at
last, after weary, weary waiting, the desire of his heart--a son to
inherit the estate and perpetuate the ancient name?

"It is so sweet, papa!" Miss Mildred whispered, her small, rather