'Yes; Lady Elton wrote. Dear little Trixy! I hope she will be happy.'
'I think she has every chance of it,' said Tom, smiling. 'Bertie Liston is one of the best fellows I know.'
'And the others, when shall I see them?' said Mrs. Gregory.
'We must bring them down,' said Tom. 'What should you think of persuading them to make the cottage their country home during the summer? Lady Elton won't be able to bear much racketing about; the quiet of this place and your society would be the best medicine for her, and pottering about the garden would just suit the dear old General.'
'It would be delightful,' said Mrs. Gregory. 'We must see what we can do.'
They were close to the river bank. It was a serene and lovely evening, and the water was gay with boat-loads of holiday-makers. As the mother and son stood, for a moment, looking down the stream, a skiff full of young people floated past them. The girls wore light dresses; they were laughing and talking gaily. It went on, and another followed, then another. With wet eyes and a painful contraction of heart the young man turned away. 'Mother!' he said. 'Do you remember?'
'Two years ago,' she murmured. 'Yes; I remember very well; how beautiful they were!'
'She was beautiful to the last,' said Tom in a whisper.
'You must tell me of her, dear. It will do you good, and I, yes; it will do me good too. I loved her so. I built so many hopes upon her.'
'So dreams pass!' said Tom.