a minute, and let no one--no matter whom--come in meanwhile.'

"Ernest went out and saw his mother standing in the next room.

"'Ernest,' said she, 'come here.'

"She sat down, drew her son to her knees, and clasped him in her arms,
and held him tightly to her heart.

"'Ernest, your father said something to you just now.'

"'Yes, mamma.'

"'What did he say?'

"'I cannot repeat it, mamma.'

"'Oh, my dear child!' cried the Countess, kissing him in rapture.
'You have kept your secret; how glad that makes me! Never tell a lie;
never fail to keep your word--those are two principles which should
never be forgotten.'

"'Oh! mamma, how beautiful you are! _You_ have never told a lie, I am
quite sure.'

"'Once or twice, Ernest dear, I have lied. Yes, and I have not kept
my word under circumstances which speak louder than all precepts.
Listen, my Ernest, you are big enough and intelligent enough to see
that your father drives me away, and will not allow me to nurse him,
and this is not natural, for you know how much I love him.'