He likes to see her always the same as when he was a little chap." "It is--sweet of you, to have such a thought," murmured Lady Mary.

She took her courage in both hands.

"But the other way is out of fashion, Peter." "Why, mother, you never used to follow the fashions before I went away; you won't begin now, at your age, will you ?" "_At my age_" repeated Lady Mary, blankly.

Then she looked at him with that wondering, pathetic smile, which seemed to have replaced already, since Peter came home, the joyousness which had timidly stolen back from her vanished youth.

"At my age!" said Lady Mary; "you are not very complimentary, Peter." "You don't expect a fellow to pay compliments to his mother," said Peter, staring at her.