Page:The Semi-detached House.djvu/293

 certainly fall in love with her twenty years hence—that will be very interesting."

In the meantime, baby was christened, and immediately after their return home, Blanche drew Mr. Greydon aside, and said to him with tears in her eyes, "You have to-day been the instrument of conferring on my darling boy, the greatest gift God has given to man, pray for him that he may be a Christian indeed—such a Christian as you, Mr. Greydon, are in heart and life. At this moment all earthly gifts seem to me but trifles, but I have one to offer to you."

"Oh, Lady Chester, do not speak of a gift to me. Do you suppose that the ceremony which has been performed to-day, has not been most deeply interesting to me, that it was not a boon to myself to be allowed to bear my part in it? I assure you, I care much for the child of my earliest friend."

"I know you do, Mr. Greydon," said Blanche, holding out her hand to him, "and I was expressing myself foolishly. In fact, it is another boon I am going to ask you to bestow