His fear of losing O'Hara showed in the fervour with which he spoke, in the frantic grasp with which he still clung to his hand.

It occurred to Gabriella suddenly that she ought to have thrown Archibald more in the companionship of men, that she had kept him too much with women, that 'she had smothered him in her love.

This was the result of her selfish devotion--that he should turn from her to the first male creature that came into his life! Her heart was sore, but she said merely: "That is very kind of you, Mr.
O'Hara, but I'm afraid I mustn't let my boy go off on a regular bat without me." "Oh, yes, I may, mother.

Say I may," interrupted Archibald with rebellious determination.
"Well, we'll see about it when the time comes." She turned her head, meeting O'Hara's gaze, and for an instant they looked unflinchingly into each other's eyes.

In her look there was surprise, indignation, and a suspicion of fear--why should he, a stranger, come between her and her son ?--and in his steady gaze there was surprise, also, but it was mingled, not with indignation and fear, but with careless and tolerant amusement.