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would have had no great difficulty in imagining their relationship；
if he had not already spoken of her as his mother。
Mrs。 Maylie was anxiously waiting to receive her son when he
reached the cottage。 The meeting did not take place without great
emotion on both sides。
“Mother！” whispered the young man； “why did you not write
before？”
“I did；” replied Mrs。 Maylie； “but； on reflection； I determined to
keep back the letter until I had heard Mr。 Losberne’s opinion。”
“But why；” said the young man—“why run the chance of that
occurring which so nearly happened？ If Rose had—I cannot utter
that word now—if this illness had terminated differently； how
could you ever have forgiven yourself！ How could I ever have
known happiness again！”
“If that had been the case； Harry；” said Mrs。 Maylie； “I fear your
happiness would have been effectually blighted； and that your
arrival here； a day sooner； or a day later； would have been of very；
very little import。”
“And who can wonder if it be so； mother？” rejoined the young
man； “or why should I say； if？—It is—it is—You know it； mother—
you must know it！”
“I know that she deserves the best and purest love the heart of
man can offer；” said Mrs。 Maylie； “I know that the devotion and
affection of her nature require no ordinary return； but one that
shall be deep and lasting。 If I did not feel this； and know； besides；
that a changed behaviour in one she loved would break her heart；
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I should not feel my task so difficult of performance； or have to
encounter so many struggles in my own bosom； when I take what
seems to me to be the strict line of duty。”
“This is unkind； mother；” said Harry。 “Do you still suppose that
I am a boy ignorant of my own mind； and mistaking the impulses
of my own soul？”
“I think； my dear son；” returned Mrs。 Maylie； laying her hand
upon his shoulder； “that youth has many generous impulses which
do not last； and that among them are some； which； being gratified；
become only the more fleeting。 Above all； I think；” said the lady；
fixing her eyes on her son’s face； “that if an enthusiastic； ardent；
and ambitious man marry a wife on whose name there is a stain；
which； though it originate in no fault of hers； may be visited by
cold and sordid people upon her； and upon his children also； and；
in exact proportion to his success in the world； be cast in his teeth；
and made the subject of sneers against him； he may； no matter
how generous and good his nature； one day repent of the
connection he formed in early life。 And she may have the pain of
knowing that he does so。”
“Mother；” said the young man impatiently；” he would be a
selfish brute； unworthy alike of the name of man and of the
woman you describe； who acted thus。”
“You think so now； Harry；” replied his mother。
“And ever will！” said the young man。 “The mental agony I have
suffered； during the last two days； wrings from me the avowal to
you of a passion which； as you well know； is not one of yesterday；
nor one I have lightly formed。 On Rose； sweet； gentle girl！ my
heart is set； as firmly as ever heart of man was set on woman。 I
have no thought； no view； no hope in life； beyond her； and if you
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oppose me in this great stake； you take my peace and happiness in
your hands； and cast them to the wind。 Mother； think better of
this； and of me； and do not disregard the happiness of which you
seem to think so little。”
“Harry；” said Mrs。 Maylie； “it is because I think so much of
warm and sensitive hearts； that I would spare them from being
wounded。 But we have said enough； and more than enough； on
this matter； just now。”
“Let it rest with Rose； then；” interposed Harry。 “You will not
press these overstrained opinions of yours； so far； as to throw any
obstacle in my way？”
“I will not；” rejoined Mrs。 Maylie； “but I would have you
consider—”
“I have considered！” was the impatient reply； “mother； I have
considered； years and years。 I have considered； ever since I have
been capable of serious reflection。 My feelings remain unchanged；
as they ever will； and why should I suffer the pain of a delay in
giving them vent； which can be productive of no earthly good？ No！
Before I leave this place； Rose shall hear me。”
“She shall；” said Mrs。 Maylie。
“There is something in your manner； which would almost imply
that she will hear me coldly； mother；” said the young man。
“Not coldly；” rejoined the old lady； “far from it。”
“How then？” urged the young man。 “She has formed no other
attachment？”
“No； indeed；” replied his mother； “you have； or I mistake； too
strong a hold on her affections already。 What I would say；”
resumed the old lady； stopping her son as he was about to speak；
“is this。 Before you stake your all on this chance； before you suffer
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yourself to be carried to the highest point of hope； reflect for a few
moments； my dear child； on Rose’s history； and consider what
effect the knowledge of her doubtful birth may have on her
decision—devoted as she is to us； with all the intensity of her noble
mind； and with that perfect sacrifice of self which； in all matters；
great or trifling； has always been her characteristic。”
“What do you mean？”
“That I leave you to discover；” replied Mrs。 Maylie。 “I must go
back to her。 God bless you！”
“I shall see you again tonight？” said the young ma eagerly。
“By and by；” replied the lady； “when I leave Rose。”
“You will tell her I am here？” said Harry。
“Of course；” replied Mrs。 Maylie。
“And say how anxious I have been； and how much I have
suffered； and how I long to see her。 You will not refuse to do this；
mother？”
“No；” said the old lady； “I will tell her all。” And pressing her
son’s hand affectionately； she hastened from the room。
Mr。 Losberne and Oliver had remained at another end of the
apartment while this hurried conversation was proceeding。 The
former now held out his hand to Harry Maylie； and hearty
salutations were exchanged between them。 The doctor then
communicated； in reply to multifarious questions from his young
friend； a precise account of his patient’s situation； which was quite
as consolatory and full of promise； as Oliver’s statement had
encouraged him to hope； and to the whole of which； Mr。 Giles； who
affected to be busy about the luggage； listened with greedy ears。
“Have you shot anything particular； lately； Giles？” inquired the
doctor； when he had concluded。
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“Nothing particular； sir；” replied Mr。 Giles； colouring up to the
eyes。
“Nor catching any thieves； nor identifying any housebreakers？”
said the doctor。
“None at all； sir；” replied Mr。 Giles； with much gravity。
“Well；” said the doctor； “I am sorry to hear it； because you do
that sort of thing