"I love your mother dearly, Tony; she has been like a mother to myself for many a year, and it would be a great happiness to me to be with her; but don't forget, Tony,"--and she tried to smile as she spoke,--"don't forget that I'll have to go seek my fortune also."
"And are n't you come to live at home now for good?"
She shook her head with a sorrowful meaning, and said:
"I'm afraid not, Tony. My dear, dear father does not grow richer as he grows older, and he needs many a little comfort that cannot come of his own providing, and you know he has none but me."
The intense sadness of the last few words were deepened by the swimming eyes and faltering lips of her that uttered them.
"And are you going back to these M'Gruders?"
"I 'm glad of that I 'm sure they were not kind."
"Nay, Tony, they were good folk, but after their own fashion; and they always strove to be just."
"Another word for being cruel. I 'd like to know what's to become of any of us in this world if we meet nothing better than Justice. But why did you leave them?--I mean leave them for good and all."
She changed color hastily, and turned her head away, while in a low confused manner she said: "There were several reasons. I need n't tell you I was n't strong, Tony, and strength is the first element of governess life."
"I know how it came about," broke in Tony. "Don't deny it,--don't, Dolly. It was all my fault."
"Don't speak so loud," whispered she, cautiously.
"It all came of that night I dined at Richmond. But if he hadn't struck at me--"
"Who struck at you, Tony, my man?" said the old minister, waking up. "He wasna over-gifted with prudence whoever did it, that I maun say; and how is Mrs. Butler and how are you yourself?"
"Bravely, sir, both of us. I 've had a long chat with Dolly over the fire, and I fear I must be going now. I 've brought you a brace of woodcocks, and a message from my mother about not forgetting to dine with us on Monday."
"I don't know about that, Tony. The lassie yonder is very weak just yet."
"But after a little rest, eh, Dolly? Don't you think you'd be strong enough to stroll over by Monday? Then Tuesday be it."
"We 'll bide and see, Tony,--we 'll bide and see. I'll be able, perhaps, to tell you after meeting to-morrow; not that you 're very reg'lar in attendance, Maister Tony; I mean to have a word or two with you about that one of these days."