Page:Arminell, a social romance (1896).djvu/170

162 manners, his polish, his knowledge, everything he has, from Lord Lamerton and others; all the world can see it."

Then in came the young man about whom she was arguing with herself. He could not speak so great was his agitation, but he went to his mother, and threw his arms about her, clasped her to his heart, and kissed her. For some time he could not say anything, but after a while he conquered his emotion sufficiently to say—

"Oh, my mother—my poor mother! Oh, my dear, my ill-used mother!" and then again his emotions got the better of him. "I cannot," he said, after a pause, with a renewed effort to govern himself, "I cannot say what I shall do now, I cannot even think, but I am sure of one thing, I must remain no longer at the Park."

"My boy!" exclaimed Mrs. Saltren. "Fall off yourself into the plate and salt!"

"I do not understand," said he. She left him in his ignorance; she had been thinking of the leeches.

"My dear Giles! Whatever you do, don't breathe a word of this to any one."

"Mother, I will not, you may be sure of that."

"Not to Lord Lamerton above all—not for heaven's sake."

"Least of all to him."

"I should get into such trouble. Oh, my gracious!"

"Mother, dear," the young fellow clasped her to his heart again, "how inexpressibly precious you are to me now, and how I grieve for you. I can say no more now."

Then he went forth.

"Why, bless me!" exclaimed Mrs. Saltren. "He never was so affectionate before. Well, as far as human reason goes, it does seem as if all things were being brought to their best for me; for this day has given me my husband's love and doubled that of my son."

Giles Inglett Saltren walked hastily back to the Park.