Confession - Page 126/274

"She is my mother, Edward."

"True; but still I do not see that the matter should concern us.

You do not apprehend that Mr. Patrick Delaney will seek to exercise

the authority of a father over either of us?"

"No! but I fear she will repent."

"Why should that be a subject of fear which should be a subject of

gratulation? For my part, I hope she may repent. We are told she

can not be saved else."

Julia was silent. I continued:-"But what brings her here, and makes her so suddenly affable with

me? That is certainly a matter which looks threatening. Does she

explain this to you, Julia?"

"Not otherwise than by declaring she is sorry for former differences."

"Ah, indeed! but her sorrow comes too late, and I very much suspect

has some motive. What more? the shaft is not yet shot."

"You guess rightly; she invites us to the wedding, and insists

that we must come, as a proof that we harbor no malice."

"Is that all?"

"All, I believe."

"She is more considerate than I expected. Well, you promised her?"

"No; I told her I could say nothing without consulting you."

"And would you wish to go, Julia?"

"Oh, surely, dear husband."

"We will both go, then."

A week afterward the affair took place, and we were among the

spectators.