And then she withdrew into the next apartment; wiping her eyes as she
went from me; as mine overflowed; my heart taking in the whole compass
of her meaning.

She soon returned, having recovered more steadiness.

Still on my knees, I had thrown my face across the chair she had sat
in.

Look up to me, my Clary Harlowe--No sullenness, I hope!

No, indeed, my ever-to-be-revered Mamma.--And I arose. I bent my
knee.

She raised me. No kneeling to me, but with knees of duty and
compliance. Your heart, not your knees, must bend. It is absolutely
determined. Prepare yourself therefore to receive your father, when
he visits you by-and-by, as he would wish to receive you. But on this
one quarter of an hour depends the peace of my future life, the
satisfaction of all the family, and your own security from a man of
violence: and I charge you besides, on my blessing, that you think of
being Mrs. Solmes.

There went the dagger to my heart, and down I sunk: and when I
recovered, found myself in the arms of my Hannah, my sister's Betty
holding open my reluctantly -opened palm, my laces cut, my linen
scented with hartshorn; and my mother gone. Had I been less kindly
treated, the hated name still forborne to be mentioned, or mentioned
with a little more preparation and reserve, I had stood the horrid