CHAPTER IV.

"So holy, and so perfect is my love,
And I'm such a poverty of grace,

That I shall think it a most plenteous crop
To glean the broken ears after the man
That the main harvest reaps."-Shakspeare.

"AND dear Helen has a little boy," said Constance, as she sat holding her mother's hand. "Mamma, are you not very grateful for this joyful news ?"

Very, very grateful indeed, my love," was Mrs. Templeton's energetic reply. "You shall have this letter from Mrs. Loftus, and read it to Caroline, while I tell our kind friends the good news; so prepare for a walk to the Rectory."

"Do you know, dear mamma," said Constance, as they joyfully pursued their way along the beautiful path which led from the grounds towards the church, "that I have sometimes had a thought, which, after all, is

perhaps hardly just; but I have thought, the marked avoidance of all reference to Helen, which Mrs. Forrester shews, is rather unkind. Hubert very often inquires, but Laurette sometimes annoys me also, by her apparent indifference, so that I never volunteer any information to her; therefore she cannot repeat much. I do not like this forgetfulness, or pointed omission. And then Lady Dallas is always so kind in her inquiries, that the difference strikes me as more remarkable. Have you ever felt this ?”

"I have, dear; and I have tried to prevent its having any influence on my manner or feelings. I advise you to do the same. Hubert fixed a time for leaving home?"

Has

"I believe the end of this month; he goes at once to Naples."

"I thought he purposed remaining some time at Venice."

"He did; but Laurette says he has some particular friends at Naples ;" and as Constance said this, she was conscious of blushing deeply, for Laurette had not told her this only, but had kindly added, "If I were you, Constance, I should forbid this visit. Strange rumours have made themselves heard about a certain Italian beauty, and Master Hubert's conduct when he was there before;" but

though Constance felt vexed, it was more, she believed, at Laurette's manner, than at her matter, for she had returned no answer to her insinuations.

"What a blessing it is to have such friends as the Vernons," said Mrs. Templeton, as they returned from the Rectory, where the thankfulness and congratulations had been so sincere;

language fails to express all they have been to me. And here is that noble, generous Ashley, insisting on making my obligations hereditary. Such friends-such rare friends. to me and my children! God reward them for it!"

"Ah, mamma!" said Constance, "I think Ashley almost the grandest of human beings."

"I think him quite," replied her mother, rather quickly. But, without noticing this interruption, Constance went on :

"You should have seen Caroline, when I read that part of the letter in which Mrs. Loftus speaks of him-she made me read it twice; and she is so delighted that the baby is to be called Reginald Ashley; and the tears actually sprung to her eyes when she heard that almost the first words of our darling Helen, when she knew it was a boy, were, Let me see my little Reginald Ashley.''

"It is so like the grateful, affectionate cha

racter of Helen," said her mother; "and so like Mrs. Loftus, to notice and relate it.'

"I have been making a little romance out of this," said Constance, after a few minutes' silence. Suppose Ashley, now he sees more of Kate Loftus, should fall in love with her."

"Oh! you are not half romantic enough, child; you should fancy him falling in love with Mrs. Loftus, or even Gretchen; either is as likely as your plan ;" and her tone was rather sharp as she said this.

"Oh, mamma!" and she laughed; but wholly insensible to the evident annoyance the subject gave Mrs. Templeton, she continued: "I have often wondered that Ashley does not marry-do not you

No, my dear," was the short reply; and as if determined to banish the topic, she said: "You will not be surprised that I wish to see Helen and her baby, my grandson, you know," and her look was now really bright; "therefore, you will have to contrive for me as before-will you?"

"Oh! I shall be delighted to help you to secure this great pleasure-shall you go

soon ?"

"I shall wait patiently till Mrs. Loftus sends for me. Ah, Constance! it is not thus

that the son of Reginald and Helen should be visited by his grandmother."

"True, dear mamma; but if they were in India

"Right, my child! always remind me of my blessings and privileges, when I sigh because they are not greater or more numerous.'

And again did Mrs. Templeton, availing herself of the Colonel's first absence, see Helen, and again she returned, without having excited any suspicion that she had been away.

It was now carefully and calmly debated whether an attempt should be made to effect a reconciliation. Helen was extremely anxious that the birth of her boy should be the cause of so desirable a result; and on her account her husband yielded; for he had felt deeply wounded that Helen's entreaties, accompanied by her own avowal, that nothing but the extraordinary circumstances in which they were placed, could palliate their disobedience, had received the most contemptuous neglect and silence.

Only to Ashley had Mrs. Templeton mentioned the insulting behaviour of her husband when the marriage certificate and the joint letters arrived; and on hearing of this violent token of displeasure and rage, he counselled delay and further consideration. It was his