son, and that he was depriving himself of what was so agreeable only to pique her, quite overwhelmed the ill-regulated mind of this fond mother.  Between each sip and each mouthful, she appealed to him to follow her example, now with cajolery, now with menace, till at length, worked up by the united stimulus of the Mountain and her own ungovernable rage, she dashed down the glass and unfinished slice of cake, and, before the astonished Lady Annabel, rushed forward to give him what she had long threatened, and what she in general ultimately had recourse to, a good shake.

Her agile son, experienced in these storms, escaped in time, and pushed his chair before his infuriated mother; Mrs. Cadurcis, however, rallied, and chased him round the room; once more she flattered herself she had captured him, once more he evaded her; in her despair she took up Venetia’s ‘Seven Champions,’ and threw the volume at his head; he laughed a fiendish laugh, as, ducking his head, the book flew on, and dashed through a pane of glass; Mrs. Cadurcis made a desperate charge, and her son, a little frightened at her almost maniacal passion, saved himself by suddenly seizing Lady Annabel’s work-table, and whirling it before her; Mrs. Cadurcis fell over the leg of the table, and went into hysterics; while the bloodhound, who had long started from his repose, looked at his mistress for instructions, and in the meantime continued barking.  The astonished and agitated Lady Annabel assisted Mrs. Cadurcis to rise, and led her to a couch.  Lord Cadurcis, pale and dogged, stood in a corner, and after all this uproar there was a comparative calm, only broken by the sobs of the mother, each instant growing fainter and fainter.

At this moment the door opened, and Mistress Pauncefort ushered in the little Venetia.  She really looked like an angel of peace sent from heaven on a mission of concord, with her long golden hair, her bright face, and smile of ineffable loveliness.

‘Mamma!’ said Venetia, in the sweetest tone.

‘Hush! darling,’ said Lady Annabel, ‘this lady is not very well.’

Mrs. Cadurcis opened her eyes and sighed.  She beheld Venetia, and stared at her with a feeling of wonder.  ‘O Lady Annabel,’ she faintly exclaimed, ’what must you think of me?  But was there ever such an unfortunate mother? and I have not a thought in the world but for that boy.  I have devoted my life to him, and never would have buried myself in this abbey but for his sake.  And this is the way he treats me, and his father before him treated me even worse.  Am I not the most unfortunate woman you ever knew?’

‘My dear madam,’ said the kind Lady Annabel, in a soothing tone, ’you will be very happy yet; all will be quite right and quite happy.’

‘Is this angel your child?’ inquired Mrs. Cadurcis, in a low voice.

’This is my little girl, Venetia.  Come hither, Venetia, and speak to Mrs. Cadurcis.’

‘How do you do, Mrs. Cadurcis?’ said Venetia.  ’I am so glad you have come to live at the abbey.’