After a time he got used to Anna's pale cheeks; she had refused to listen to his advice, and must dree her weird.
He had his own battles to fight, and victory was not easily achieved; nevertheless his masculine will prevailed.
It was no hastily considered resolution that determined Malcolm to leave his mother's roof and set up in chambers of his own, neither did he effect his purpose without a good deal of pain; but, as he told Cedric, life at 27 Queen's Gate was becoming impossible to him.
But it was one of the worst moments of his life when he announced his intention to his mother.

She listened to his embarrassed explanation silently, and without offering any interruption; but her pleasant, strong-featured face grew set and stern, and when he had finished she looked at him almost solemnly.
"He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow," she said slowly and sadly, and no word of reproach could have stung him more deeply.

It made him angry.
"Mother, you have no right to say that, and to speak as though I were failing in my duty towards you," he returned indignantly; "it is not fair--all my life I have tried to please you, and to carry out your wishes." "I am not complaining of you, Malcolm," she replied quietly; "your own conscience is accusing you, not your mother.

Would you have me suppress the truth or tell you a lie?
Do you think any mother could listen unmoved to what you have told me just now--that you intend to leave my roof, that my only son finds his home so uncongenial, and his life here so irksome, that he is forced to quit it ?" "Mother, you are making things worse and worse," returned Malcolm passionately; "you are putting matters in a wrong light.

Will you listen to me a moment ?" "Have I ever refused to listen to you, my son ?" and a softer and more motherly expression came into the gray eyes.
"No, you have always been kind," he replied; but there was a slight quiver in his voice.