I say it a thousand times, though I am his mother." Then she broke down.

"Oh, Peter, my boy, my boy, how could you leave me without a word!" "Perhaps this step was taken with your connivance after all ?" said Sir Timothy, suspiciously.

He could not follow her rapid changes of mood, and had listened resentfully to her defence of her son.
"Timothy!" said Lady Mary, trembling, "when have I ever been disloyal to you in word or deed ?" "Never, I hope," said Sir Timothy.

His voice shook a little.

"I do not doubt you for a moment, Mary.