You must still be, as you have always been, and I shall now publicly give out the fact, my immediate successor; and, except for a stated allowance, to be doubled when he marries, which I hope he will, and early, Cardross must still be dependent upon his mother during her lifetime.

Afterward he inherits all.

But there is one thing," he continued, seeing that Helen did not speak, "I should like: it would make me happy if, on his coming of age, he would change his name, or add mine to it--be Alexander Cardross Bruce Montgomerie, or simply Alexander Cardross Montgomerie.

Which do you prefer ?" Helen meditated long.

Many a change came and went over the widow's face -- widowed long enough for time to have softened down all things, and made her remember only the young days--the days of a girl's first love.