Mrs.Williams was not unobservant of the gradual but steady falling off in Eric's character, and the first thing she noticed was the blunting of his home affections.

When they first came to Roslyn, the boy used constantly to join his father and mother in their walks; but now he went seldom or never; and even if he did go, he seemed ashamed, while with them, to meet any of his schoolfellows.

The spirit of false independence was awake and growing in her darling son.

The bright afternoons they had spent together on the sunny shore, or seeking for sea-flowers among the lonely rocks of the neighboring headlands,--the walks at evening and sunset among the hills, and the sweet counsel they had together, when the boy's character opened like a flower in the light and warmth of his mother's love,--the long twilights when he would sit on a stool with his young head resting on her knees, and her loving hand among his fair hair,--all these things were becoming to Mrs.Williams memories, and nothing more.
It was the trial of her life, and very sad to bear; the more so because they were soon to be parted, certainly for years, perhaps for ever.

The time was drawing nearer and nearer; it was now June, and Mr.Williams' term of furlough ended in two months.