"Nonsense!" said the earl cordially. "You know that I would do anything, everything to make your future a happy one. Talk it over with Lenore!"
"I will, sir," said Leycester. "I think I will go up to Lilian now, she expects me."
The earl took his hand and shook it as he had not shaken it for many a day, and Leycester went up-stairs.
The countess had left the room, but he found her waiting for him.
"Good-night, mother," he said.
"Oh, Leycester, you have made me—all of us—so happy!"
"Ay," he said, and he smiled at her. "I am very glad. Heaven knows I have often enough made you unhappy, mother."
"No, no," she said, kissing him; "this makes up for all—for all!"
Leycester watched her as she went down-stairs, and a sigh broke from him.
"Not one of them understands, not one," he murmured.