And when in the midst of his career, with such large ideas of public service and philanthropy, he was stricken down, he left to me, in the confidence of his love, all that fortune which is some day to be yours.”  Mrs. Mavick put her handkerchief to her eyes.  “Ah, well, our destiny is not in our hands.  Heaven raised up for me another protector, another friend.  Perhaps some of my youthful illusions have vanished, but should I have been happier if I had indulged them?  I know your dear father does not think so.”

“Mother,” cried Evelyn, deeply moved by this unprecedented confidence, “I cannot bear to see you suffer on my account.  But must not every one decide for herself what is right before God?”

At this inopportune appeal to a higher power Mrs. Mavick had some difficulty in restraining her surprise and indignation at what she considered her child’s stubbornness.  But she conquered the inclination, and simply looked sad and appealing when she said: 

“Yes, yes, you must decide for yourself.  You must not consider your mother as I did mine.”

This cruel remark cut the girl to the heart.  The world seemed to whirl around her, right and wrong and duty in a confused maze.  Was she, then, such a monster of ingratitude?  She half rose to throw herself at her mother’s feet, upon her mother’s mercy.  And at the moment it was not her reason but her heart that saved her.  In the moral confusion rose the image of Philip.  Suppose she should gain the whole world and lose him!  And it was love, simple, trusting love, that put courage into her sinking heart.

“Mother, it is very hard.  I love you; I could die for you.  I am so forlorn.  But I cannot, I dare not, do such a thing, such a dreadful thing!”

She spoke brokenly, excitedly, she shuddered as she said the last words, and her eyes were full of tears as she bent down and kissed her mother.

When she had gone, Mrs. Mavick sat long in her chair, motionless between bewilderment and rage.  In her heart she was saying, “The obstinate, foolish girl must be brought to reason!”

A servant entered with a telegram.  Mrs. Mavick took it, and held it listlessly while the servant waited.  “You can sign.”  After the door closed—­she was still thinking of Evelyn—­she waited a moment before she tore the envelope, and with no eagerness unfolded the official yellow paper.  And then she read: 

     “I have made an assignment.  T. M.”

A half-hour afterwards when a maid entered the room she found Mrs. Mavick still seated in the armchair, her hands powerless at her side, her eyes staring into space, her face haggard and old.

XXV