Hugh said nothing, but sighed heavily, as he stood looking out of the window with eyes that saw nothing.
His mother went to him and laid a gentle hand upon his broad shoulder.
"Oh, my son, my dear son," she said in a trembling voice, "my old heart is sore for you. I have hoped for years that—"
He whirled suddenly about.
"Don't mother—don't say any more—not now. Let me fight it out alone, and try to keep such a bearing as will prevent her from knowing the truth."
Then the passion in his voice died out, and he caressed her gray hair with a loving touch.
She drew his face down and kissed him.
"Come," she said, with an effort at cheerfulness,—"come into the other room and have speech with Mary before you go, else she'll think we've lost all proper sense of our manners. This is the first time you and she have met since her marriage."