'Catherine!' she said in an agitated voice, laying a thin hand on her daughter's arm.
'Oh, Catherine, I want to speak to you!' Catherine knelt lightly down by her mother's side and put her arms round her waist.
'Yes mother darling,' she said, half smiling.
'Oh, Catherine! If--if--you like Mr.Elsmere--don't mind--don't think--about us, dear.

We can manage--we can manage, dear!' The change that took place in Catherine Leyburn's face is indescribable.
She rose instantly, her arms falling behind her, her beautiful brows drawn together.

Mrs.Leyburn, looked up at her with a pathetic mixture of helplessness, alarm, entreaty.
'Mother, who hag been talking to you about Mr.Elsmere and me ?' demanded Catherine.
'Oh, never mind, dear, never mind,' said the widow hastily; 'I should have seen it myself--oh, I know I should; but I'm a bad mother, Catherine!' and she caught her daughter's dress and drew her toward her.
_Do_ you care for him ?' Catherine did not answer.

She knelt down again, and laid her head on her mother's hands.
'I want nothing,' she said presently in a low voice of intense emotion--'I want nothing but you and the girls.

You are my life--I ask for nothing more.