"Mr. Darrell--TO-DAY--HOW could you let him come? Oh, Lionel, how thoughtless you are! You should have some respect for your mother--I am your mother, sir."
"Yes, my own dear mother--don't scold--I could not help it. He is so engaged, so sought after; if I had put him off to-day, he might never have come, and--"
"Never have come! Who is Mr. Darrell, to give himself such airs?--Only a lawyer after all," said Mrs. Haughton, with majesty.
"Oh, mother, that speech is not like you. He is our benefactor--our--"
"Don't, don't say very more--I was very wrong--quite wicked--only my temper, Lionel dear. Good Mr. Darrell! I shall be so happy to see him--see him, too, in this house that I owe to him--see him by your side! I think I shall fall down on my knees to him."
And her eyes began to stream.
Lionel kissed the tears away fondly. "That's my own mother now indeed--now I am proud of you, mother; and how well you look! I am proud of that too."
"Look well--I am not fit to be seen, this figure--though perhaps an elderly quiet gentleman like good Mr. Darrell does not notice ladies much. John, John, makes haste with those plants. Gracious me! you've got your coat off!--put it on--I expect a gentleman--I'm at home, in the front drawing-room--no--that's all set out--the back drawing-room, John. Send Susan to me. Lionel, do just look at the supper-table; and what is to be done with the flowers, and--"
The rest of Mrs. Haughton's voice, owing to the rapidity of her ascent, which affected the distinctness of her utterance, was lost in air. She vanished at culminating point--within her chamber.
CHAPTER III.
MRS. HAUGHTON AT HOME TO GUY DARRELL.
Thanks to Lionel's activity, the hall was disencumbered--the plants hastily stowed away-the parlour closed on the festive preparations--and the footman in his livery waiting at the door--when Mr. Darrell arrived. Lionel
