"Why, lad, what does it mean? Have you been deceiving us all this
time?" cried Jasper, as Treherne leaned on him, looking exhausted but
truly happy.

"It means that I am not to be a cripple all my life; that they did not
deceive me when they said a sudden shock might electrify me with a more
potent magnetism than any they could apply. It _has_, and if I am cured
I owe it all to you, Octavia."

He stretched his hands to her with a gesture of such passionate
gratitude that the girl covered her face to hide its traitorous
tenderness, and my lady went to him, saying brokenly, as she embraced
him with maternal warmth, "God bless you for this act, Maurice, and
reward you with a perfect cure. To you I owe the lives of both my
children; how can I thank you as I ought?"

"I dare not tell you yet," he whispered eagerly, then added, "I am
growing faint, Aunt. Get me away before I make a scene."

This hint recalled my lady to her usual state of dignified
self-possession. Bidding Jasper and the major help Treherne to his room
without delay, she begged Rose to comfort her sister, who was sobbing
hysterically, and as they all obeyed her, she led her daughter away to
her own apartment, for the festivities of the evening were at an end.

At the same time Mrs. Snowdon and Annon bade my lady good-night, as if
they also were about to retire, but as they reached the door of the
gallery Mrs. Snowdon paused and beckoned Annon back. They were alone
now, and, standing before the fire which had so nearly made that