Now is the time for him to have nothing to do with her!" "Clement had entered at the door behind his mother as she thus spoke.

His face was set and pale, till it looked as gray and immovable as if it had been carved in stone.

He came forward and stood before his mother.

She stopped her walk, threw back her haughty head, and the two looked each other steadily in the face.

After a minute or two in this attitude, her proud and resolute gaze never flinching or wavering, he went down upon one knee, and, taking her hand--her hard, stony hand, which never closed on his, but remained straight and stiff: "'Mother,' he pleaded, 'withdraw your prohibition.