CHAPTER XVI.

"A little management may often evade resistance, which a vast force might vainly strive to overcome."-Guesses at Truth.

Mr. Patterson was busy writing that morning, when Mr. Grey called to see him. It was an hour at which he was not visible to ordinary visitors, but Mr. Grey was a privileged person, and he was shown into the study.

"You here so early! I am very glad to see you, but I hope my mother is not worse."

"Not at all. She is going on as well as possible."

"Have you seen her this morning?"

66 Yes, or I should not be here now. She has found me out."

"Indeed! How did it come about, and what makes you look so serious; was she angry?"

"Oh, I can hardly tell, poor old soul! No, I suppose not. She heard me laughing as I went up stairs: it reminded her of my mother, I believe. At any rate she knows me now."

"That is well. And you do not think it was too much for her?"

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Yes, it was at the time; but she is so much stronger, it will do her no real harm. But I felt wretchedly ashamed of myself!"

Mr. Patterson smiled. 66 Well, what is it today? I am used to going over that ground with you."

"You must have patience with me. I dare say I shall affront her, for I must let her know I want nothing from her."

"She will not like you the worse for that; but I am not sure that I shall have much more

patience with you. On the contrary, I expect you to exercise a little yourself, and be kind, and forbearing, if she should be a little unreasonable. And I am not afraid of you, for I know it is not in your nature to be harsh to any one so feeble."

"You cannot understand how painful it is to me altogether. My father, my mother, both gone; their troubles, as it were, buried with them. And now-oh, I cannot tell you how I felt that first day. Since then, I believe, I almost flattered myself she would never know me. I should have kept it off this morning, if I could."

"Really, Grey, for a strong-minded man, you are wonderfully weak; and for a sensible man, remarkably inconsistent. May I ask why you came to Lumsdale at all?"

"To please you," answered Mr. Grey, half laughing.

"You will not be going there again before the evening, I dare say. I will see my mother after service, and tell her you want nothing from her. Will that do?"

"I shall not go there before to-morrow at any rate, and perhaps not then."

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Very well, I must go now, for the little bell has begun, and you had better come with me, if you can spare the time. We have no sermon on Wednesdays."

"I would willingly, but I am behind time already. I ought to be three miles in the country at this minute."

He went his way, and Mr. Patterson joined his wife, who was waiting for him. The church was only a very short distance from the house. In summer time Mrs. Allan often wished it was a longer walk, for the care of a populous parish so fully occupied Mr. Patterson's time, that she did not often enjoy much of his company, except in the evening. He did not tell her, till they were returning from church, what had been Mr. Grey's errand. She had, from the first, been doubtful of the success of the experiment, when, owing to Mr. Chene's want of assistance in his professional duties, Mr. Grey had, at her husband's instigation, first come to Lumsdale; but circumstances had so singularly aided his introduction to Mrs. Patterson, that she was beginning to change her opinion, though she could hardly bring herself to believe in the success of any project, which had for its aim the bringing two such intractable people together.

There was, therefore, nothing encouraging in her cool manner of receiving Mr. Patterson's communication, nor in the incredulous smile with which she listened, when, having told her he was going at once to visit his mother, he proceeded to explain his plans for Mr. Grey's future settlement at Lumsdale. She made no comment upon these, and contented herself with recommending him to see his mother without delay.

He found her much better than he had expected to see her, and more cheerful than usual. She was perfectly satisfied with his explanation of the reason of Mr. Grey's appearance in Lumsdale, and much struck with the combination of circumstances which had led to his introduction to herself. And when, on her beginning her usual complaint, that he had been actuated by no better feeling than the hope of profiting by her money, her son hastened to assure her that he needed it not-he had inherited quite sufficient property to make him independent, from the uncle with whom he had been living in Canada, to say nothing of his profession in which he was a rising man, the principal difficulty was done away with.

Some little smoothing down on either side still remained to be effected, but Mr. Patterson was a kind and patient mediator, and a peacemaker from his very heart. Fortunately his mother had taken a fancy to Mr. Grey before she had an idea from whence he came; ere long

he was quite established in her good graces. She could not help feeling an interest in him, and he was lively and amusing, so that his daily visits soon became almost her greatest pleasure, and she was well contented when the fact was communicated to her, that her grandson was to succeed Mr. Chene in his business.

He had now been for some time attending her very successfully, so that she did not regret the loss of her former doctor, she offered pecuniary assistance in the affair, but that was gratefully declined. For some time after Mr. Grey's introduction in his proper person, Helen saw him only in Mrs. Patterson's presence, rather to his annoyance, for he felt that his conduct towards her required some explanation, and he did not wish to subject either her or himself to any animadversions it might please the old lady to make, if he mentioned the subject before her. Fortune favoured him at last, when, as occasionally happened, he was earlier in his visit, and Mrs. Patterson later in making her appearance, than usual. Helen was in her own little room, but the door was open to the parlor.

"May I come in?" he asked, standing almost on the threshold.

"You are just as well there," answered Helen. "I will come to you, I have only room for myself here. Mrs. Patterson will be down directly; she is talking of getting up to breakfast soon. "She had better wait till the weather is