why, but somehow your father has never been a good man of business—everything has gone wrong with him.'
'Oh, mother! do not say anything against him.'
'No, Frank, I will not; I do not wish it. Things have been unfortunate, certainly. Ah, me! I little thought when I married—but I don't mean to complain—I have excellent children, and I ought to be thankful for that.'
Frank began to fear that no good could be coming when his mother spoke in that strain. 'I will do the best I can,' said he, 'up in town. I can't help thinking myself that Mr. Gazebee might have done as well, but—'
'Oh, dear, no; by no means. In such cases the principal must show himself. Besides, it is right you should know how matters stand. Who is so much interested in it as you are? Poor Frank! I so often feel for you when I think how the property has dwindled.'
'Pray do not mind me, mother. Why should you talk of it as my matter while my father is not yet forty-five? His life, so to speak, is as good as mine. I can do very well without it; all I want is to be allowed to settle to something.'
'You mean a profession.'
'Yes; something of that sort.'
'They are so slow, dear Frank. You, who speak French so well—I should think my brother might get you in as attaché to some embassy.'
'That wouldn't suit me at all,' said Frank.
'Well, we'll talk about that another time. But I came about something else, and I do hope you will hear me.'
Frank's brow again grew black, for he knew that his mother was about to say something which it would be disagreeable for him to hear.
'I was with Mary, yesterday.'
'Well, mother?'
'Don't be angry with me, Frank; you can't but know that the fate of an only son must be a subject of anxiety to a mother.' Ah! how singularly altered was Lady Arabella's tone since first she had taken upon herself to discuss the marriage prospects of her son! Then how autocratic had she been as she sent him away, bidding him, with full command, to throw himself into the golden embraces of Miss Dunstable! But now, how humble, as she came suppliantly to his room, craving that she might have leave to whisper into his ears a mother's anxious fears! Frank had laughed at her stern behests, though he had half obeyed them; but he was touched to the heart by her humility.
He drew his chair nearer to her, and took her by the hand.
