I wonder what line of work Cardross will take; whether he will attempt politics--his letters are very political just now, do you notice ?" "Very.

And there is not half enough about himself." "He might get into Parliament," continued the earl, "and perhaps some day win a peerage in his own right.

Eh, Helen?
Would you like to be mother to a viscount--Viscount Cairnforth ?" "No," said Helen, tenderly, "there shall never be another Lord Cairnforth." Thus sat these two, planning by the hour together the future of the boy who was their one delight.

It amused them through all the winter and spring, till Cairnforth woods grew green again, and Loch Beg recovered its smile of sunshiny peace, and the hills at the head of it took their summer colors, lovely and calm, even as, year after year, these friends had watched them throughout their two lives, of which both were now keenly beginning to feel the greater part lay, not before them, but behind.

But in thinking of this boy they felt young again, as if he brought to one the hope, to the other the faint recollection of happiness that in the great mystery of Providence to each had been personally denied.
And yet they were not unhappy.