'Will you let me be a son to you ?' Mrs.Leyburn rose.

He still held her hand.

She looked up at him helplessly.
'Oh, Mr.Elsmere, where is Catherine ?' 'I brought her home,' he said gently, 'She is mine, if you will it.

Give her to me again!' Mrs.Leyburn's face worked pitifully.

The rectory and the wedding dress, which had lingered so regretfully in her thoughts since her last sight of Catherine, sank out of them altogether.
'She has been everything in the world to us, Mr.Elsmere.' 'I know she has,' he said simply.