"She is bewitched--David Carlyon's simplicity and goodness have bewitched her--but he is not her rightful mate." And then he struck himself fiercely on the breast and whispered, "He is here--he is here, Elizabeth!" But in spite of his inward sadness he would not spare himself, and every week he went as usual to Queen's Gate to dine with his mother.
But the long evenings tried him, and he found it difficult to hide his ennui and weariness from his mother's sharp eyes.

One evening, just before Christmas, Anna made some remarks on his tired looks in her gentle, affectionate way, and he had checked her with unwonted irritability.
"I wish you would get out of that habit of commenting on people's looks," he said quite angrily.

"It is very objectionable to me.

I suppose every one is tired and out of sorts at times, but it does no good to notice it." "I am sorry, Malcolm--I will try to remember next time," faltered Anna; but the tears were in her eyes, and a few minutes later she left the room.
Mrs.Herrick ventured on a remonstrance.

"I am afraid you have hurt Anna," she said; "she is so sensitive, and you were quite rough with her." "I am afraid I was," returned Malcolm penitently; "but if you only knew how it riles a man to be watched so closely." "It was a very natural speech on Anna's part," replied his mother in her sensible, matter-of-fact way.