'Oh, John,--oh, my husband,' she exclaimed, as she leaped down the steps into his arms, 'never let me go again; not for a day,--not for an hour!' Then her boxes were brought down, and the nurse came with the child, whom the mother at once took and placed in his father's arms.

And the carriage was brought in, and the luggage was placed on it, and the nurse and the baby were seated.

'I will go up to poor mamma for one moment,' she said.

She did go to her mother's room, and throwing herself upon the wretched woman, wept over her and kissed her.

But the mother, though in some sort she returned the caress, said not a word as her daughter left the room.