"It was joy, joy," she repeated, struggling for composure; "I expected not this blessing.
Yes, Herbert, we will speak of you, think of you, doubt us not, my son, my dear son.

A mother's protecting care and soothing love will guard your Mary.

She is not only her mother's treasure now.

Go, my beloved Herbert, you are summoned; farewell, and God bless you!" Herbert did not linger with his father and sister; a few minutes private interview with the former caused his most sanguine hopes to become yet stronger, then travelling post to London, where he only remained a few hours, returned with all haste to his college.

In his rapid journey, however, he had changed his mind with regard to keeping what had passed between himself and Mary a secret from his mother, whom he yet loved with perhaps even more confiding fondness than in his boyhood.