capable of understanding us and sympathising with us, be pleased to accep

lly anticipate inexcusable ignorance where the course of the story happe

st rules. Some of us are not guilty of wilful carelessness: some of us apply to competent authority, when we write on subjects beyond the range of our own experience. Havi

nect themselves with the main interest of the novel. In traversing this delicate ground, you have not been forgotten. Before the manuscrip

has even contrived to make use of Professor Ferrier-writing on the "Localisation of Cerebral Disease," and closing a confession of the present result of post-mortem examination of brains in these words: "We cannot

bjects in general. You will naturally conclude that it is "all gross caricature." No; it is all promiscuous reading. Let me spare you a lon

, at which "radiant energy" was indeed converted into "sonorous vibrations." Again: when she contemplates taking part in a discussion on Matter, she has been slily looking into Chambers's Encyclopaedia, and has there d

shown me that you have a sharp eye for slips of the pen, and that you thoroughly enjoy convicting a novelist, by post, of having made a mistake. Whatever pains I may have t

.

: Apri

PTE

tury had advanced into the l

ege of Surgeons) stood at the window of his consulting-room in Lon

rosperous career before him, he had been compelled (at only thirty-one years of age) to ask a colleague to take charge of his practice, and to give the

e happy knack of being idle at a moment's notice. Ovid found the mere act of looking o

n common, under present circumstances. Being deprived of conjugal superintendence, he broke though his own rules. His restless hand unlocked a dr

ified. In emergencies of any sort, he was a patient man and a man of resource. The necessary verification could be accomplished by a visit to the College of Surgeons, situated in the great square called Lincoln's Inn Fi

PTE

ting-point of their own houses, to the same spot, at the same time? Not one man in ten thousand has probably ever thought of making such a fantastic inq

indfold on his way to a patient in the future who was personally still a stranger to h

hat he had in view? Nothing but a series of trivial circumstance

ch drew up at his side. A bright benevolent face encircled by bushy white whiskers, looked out of the window, and a hearty voice a

patient, S

of da

the other doc

ghed: "They say

onvinc

convincing fools? Let's try another subject.

able agitation. Her brother's Will has been found in Italy.

Sir Richard

n't k

mon

my poor mother would be in a state of inde

window. "I have just seen an old patient of mine," he resumed, "in whom I feel a friendly interest. She is retiring from business by my advice; and she asks me, of all the people in the world, to help her in getting rid of some wonderful 'remnants,' at 'an alarming sa

iend, bound his way, had accepted a seat in the carriage. "Who i

dead many years since," Sir Richard repli

I ask

; possessed of one small attraction-fifty thousand pounds, grubbed up in trade. There are two little daughters, by the second marriage. With such a stepfather as I have described, and, between ourselves, with a mother who has rather more than her fair share of the jealous, envious, and money-loving propensities of humanity, my friend Ovid is not diverted by family infl

es

took his time to examine and think; and he saw the chance of saving the patient by venturing on the use of the lancet as plainly as I did-with my forty years' experience to teach me! A young man with that capacity for discovering the remote cause of disease, and with that superiority to the trammels of routine in applying the treatment, has no common medical career before him. His holiday will set his health right in n

red. Ovid remembered that he was going away on a long voyage-and Ovid was a good son. He bought some o

nto a by-street, near the flower and fruit market of Covent Garden. Here he met with the second in number

d from the smell to the flowery and fruity perfumes of Covent Garden, an

ards with news of Punch in a neighbouring street, and lead the little girl away with them? Why did these two new circumstances inspire him with a fear that the boys might take the strawberries away from the poor child, burdened as she was with a baby almost as big as

ns-for want of a paying audience. He waited at a certain distance, watching the children. His doubts had done them an injustice. The boys only said, "Giv

have returned to the pursuit of his own affairs, under these circumstances, without encoura

s, his hand touched something which felt like the envelope of a letter. He took it out-looked at it with an

e absorbing interest of making his preparations for leaving England, it had remained forgotten in his pocket for nearly two days. The one means of setting this unlucky error right, w

posite to the British Museum. In this

course for the College of Surgeons. Passing the walled garden of the British Museum, he looked towards it-and pa

e showed itsel

ld happen next. Two women, meeting him, and seeing a smile on his lips, had said to each other, "There goes a happy man." If they had encountered

is head drooped; he moved mechanically. Arrived in the street, he lif

numbered with the dead. The present time, with its interests and anxieties, passed away like the passing of a dream. Little by little, as the minutes followed each other, his sore heart felt a calming in

have found a solitude more cong

and look about, safe from collision with merciless straight-walkers whose time is money, and whose destiny is business. Here, you may meet undisturbed cats on the pavement, in the full glare of noontide, and may watch, through the railings of the squares, children at play on grass that almost glows with the

ing fish to the cook, and two girls watering flowers at a window, were t

ns brought with them no feeling of anxiety or surprise. He turned, in a half-

e rapidly approaching him. One of them, as they came n

curiosity of strangers, as they went by. The girl's eyes and his me

stopping to think-without being capable of thought-Ovid followed them. Never before had he done what

eft. A concert-hall was in the street-with doors open for an afternoon per

TER

undreds, in those hotels of monstrous proportions and pretensions, which now engulf the traveller who ends his journey on the pier or the platform. It may be that we feel ourselves to be strangers among strangers-it may be that there is something innately repellent in splendid carpets and curtains, chairs and tables, which have no social associations to rec

t his house, two women sat in a corner of the public room, in o

which attracted the notice of every other woman in the room. One of them wore a black veil over her gray hair. Her hands were brown, and knotty at the joints; her eyes looked unnaturally bright for her age; innumerable wrinkles cro

how she looks at the girl with her. A good old creature, I say, if ever there was one yet." The lady eyed him, as

ip. At seventeen years of age, it was doubtful

little colour of any sort to boast of. Her hair was of so light a brown that it just escaped being flaxen; but it had the negative merit of not being forced down to her eyebrows, and twisted into the hideous curly-wig which exhibits a liberal equality of ugliness on the heads of women in the present day. There was a delicacy of finish in her features-in the nose and the lips especially-a sensitive changefulness in the expression of her eyes (too dark in themselves to be quite in harmony with her light hair), and a subtle yet simple witchery in her rare smile, which atoned, in some degree at least, for want o

reluctantly. They had been talking of family affairs-and had spoken in Italian, so as to keep their domesti

tter," she said; "the illustrious Mrs. Gallile

igh. "We only arrived last night," she pleaded. "Dear o

roposal with undisguis

ur new home. And you propose to stop a whole day at an hotel, instead of going home. Impossible! Write, my Carmina-write. See, here is the addre

er, I was only a child when you came to us after my mother's death. It is hardly six months yet since I lost my father. I have

ook her hand, under cover of a tablecloth; Carmina knew how to console her. "We will go and see si

stress was pleased with me. That gracious lady often gave me a glass of the fine strong purple wine. The Holy Virgin grant that Aunt Gallilee may be as kind a woman! Such a head of hair as the other one she cannot hope to have. It was a joy to dress it. Do you think I wouldn't stay here in England with you if I could? What is to become of my old man in Italy, with his cursed asthma, and nobody to nurse him? Oh, but those were dull years in London!

ile showed itself faintly. The terrible first interview with the unknown aunt still oppressed her. She took up a newspaper in despair. "Oh, my old dear!

usic in London?" Carmi

this in their own language. She

have led an ignorant stranger to wonder whether any such persons as Italian composers, French composers, and English composers had ever existed. The music offered to the English public was music of exclusively G

in the middle of the room, on which useful books were liberally displayed. She returned with a catalogue of the Royal Academy Exhibition (which someone had left on t

ly had made themselves generally known beyond the limits of England. She turned to the last page. The works of art on show numbered more than fifteen hundred. Teresa, looking

r next discovery led her to the section inscribed "Museums." She scored an approvi

th Kensington; Patent Museum-all unknown to Teresa. "The saints preserve us! what headaches and footaches in all these, if they are as big as that other one!" She went on with the list-and astonished everybody in the room by sudden

On the same afternoon, when Ovid had set forth on foot for Lincoln's Inn Fields, Carmina and Teresa set forth on foot for Lincoln's

led out of it towards the North; Teresa's pride in

ere only two?" she said. "Surely you told me there was a boy, besides the girls?" Carmina set her right. "My cousin Ovid is a great doctor," she continued with an air of importance. "Poor papa used to say that our family would have reason to be proud of him." "Does he live at home?" asked simple Teresa. "Oh, dear, no! He has a grand ho

rmina looked over her shoulder. "Is this

and then, the sympathies of their race lead these inveterate wanderers to attach themselves, for the time, to some human companion, whom their mysterious insight chooses from the crowd. Teresa, with the hard feeli

ry fellow-creature. "I must buy that poor dog something to

ked herself, he darted away in terror into the road. A cab was driven by rapidly at the same moment. The whe

usic-seller's shop. Teresa led her in, and asked for a chair and a glass of water. The proprietor, feeling the interest in Carmina which she seldom failed to i

she said to her companion. "After what has happene

ome acceptable alternative. "Music woul

ler in despair. "Is there no music, sir, but German music to be heard in London?" she asked. The hospitable shopkeeper produced a concert programmed for that afternoon-the modest enterprise of an obscure piano-forte teacher, who could onl

into a cab. "We may run over some other poor creature," she said. "If it isn't a dog, it may be a child next time." Teresa and the music-seller suggested a more reasonable view as gr

a and Ovid had failed to reach it alike. And Carmina had stopped to look at t

PTE

rson who taught music to his half-sisters. Not many days since, he had himself assisted the enterprise, by taking a ticket at his mother's request. Seeing nothin

ered the two central chairs, in the midway row of seats, which she and her companion had chosen. There was a vacant chair (among many others) at one extremit

e singers and players on the platform, he could feast his eyes on her with impu

offen

ved to the row of seats behind her. She was now nearer to him than she had been yet. He was again content, and more than content. The next performance was a solo on the piano. A round of applause welcomed the player. Ovid

ver her-thus far. She would certainly arrive, nevertheless. My money

ppiness. He had openly avowed his dislike of concerts, when his mother had made him take a ticket for this

m figure of the young girl, on the gentle yet spirited carriage of her head. But the

the piano ca

away again, he heard Mrs. Gallilee's loud voice. She was administering a maternal caution to one

redly express itself in some way. She was one of those women who can insult another woman (and safely disguise it)

. Mrs. Galilee astonished him by a little lecture on acoustics, delivered with the sweetest condescension. Her Christian humility smiled, and call the usher, Sir. "Sound, sir, is most perfectly heard towards

ked at e

fectly recovered the nervous shock of seeing the dog killed. C

PTE

a cup of tea,

I'm sure, Mr

llilee pleased w

arm

back," he suggested. "You forget the lady who fainted. So

ey might hear you upstairs. The fainting lady is upstairs. All th

aster), as the proverbial cat trifles with the terror of the captive mouse. The man of the bald head and the servile smile

s might have tried in vain to discover a hair that was out of place. Miss Minerva's eager sallow face, so lean, and so hard, and so long, looked, by contrast, as if it wanted some sort of discreet covering thrown over some part of it. Her coarse black hair projected like a penthouse over her bushy black eyebrows and her keen black eyes. Oh, dear me (as they said in the servants' hall), she would never be married-so yellow and so learned, so ugly and so poor! And yet, if mystery is interesting, this was an interesting woman. The people about her felt a

playfully provocative tone, with infinite tact, exactly at the right moment. "Just imagine," she resumed, "a scene on the stage

truth. Say it's in a novel-and you are a fool if you believe it. Say it's in a newspaper-and you are a fool if you doubt it. Mr. Le Frank, following the general example, followed it on this occasion a little too unres

was the first smelling-bottle produced; hers was the presence of mind which suggested a horizontal position. 'Help the heart,' she said; 'don't impede it.' The whole theory of fainting fit

believer, even yet. "You don

the shock. What the effort must have cost her you will presently understand. Our interesting young lady was accompanied by a hideous old foreign woman who completely lost her head. She smacked her hands distracte

," said Mr. Le Fr

ithout notice. Perhaps she was not a

'I am Mrs. Gallilee:' that was all she said. The result"-Miss Minerva paused, and pointed to the ceiling; "the result is up there. Our charming guest was on the sofa, and the hideous old nurse was fanning her, when I had the honour of seeing them just now. No, Mr. Le Frank! I

l adviser of the family-one Mr. Null. A cautious guess in th

of music," the

c," the govern

ll," Mr. Le Fr

(like the cat with the mouse a

At the moment when Miss Minerva overwhelmed him with the climax of her story, a little, rosy, elderly gentleman, with a round face, a sweet

y, when that sweet young creature was brought home. Sadly in want of quiet, poor thing-not in want of us. Mrs. Gallilee and Ovid, so clever and attentive, were just the right people in the right place. So I put on my hat-I'm always available, Mr. Le Frank; I have the great advantag

mild in tone: in short, as Mr. Le Frank once professionally remarked, a soft falsetto. When the good gentleman paused to make his little effort of memo

of the large round eyes that we see in pictures, and the sweet manners and perfect principles that we read of in books. She called everybody "dear;" she knew to a nicety

ia, "the pastry-cook's name w

This was a curiously slow, quaint, self-contained child; the image of her father, with an occasional reflection of his smile; incurably stupid, or incurably perverse-the friends o

id Mr. Gallilee. "What d

lilee's stumpy red hand, and held hard by it as if that was the one way

them," she said; "I d

etest readiness. "Dear Zoe,

eese-cakes," he said. "We tried cream-ice, and then we tried water-ice. The children, Miss Minerva, preferred the cream-ice. An

tively invited sympathy and agreement from any person within his reach-from a total stranger quite as readily as from an intimate friend. Mr. Le Frank, representing the present Court of Social Appe

Le Frank, for interrupting you-but it is really a little too hard on Me. I am held responsible for the health of these girls; I am blamed over and over again, wh

er," Mr. Gall

nerva persisted; "the girls will have no appetite for the last m

heir hats, and give them something nice for supper. They inherit my stomach, Miss Minerva-an

ny circumstances. Miss Minerva took off the hats in stern silence. Even "Papa" might have seen

he gently pushed the interests of a friend who was giving a concert next week. "We poor artists have our faults, my dear sir; but we are all earnest in helping each other. My friend sang for nothing at my concert. Don't suppose for a

alone, he perceived that the happy time had arrived for leaving the room. How was he to make his exit? He prided himself on his

sn't a pint of champagne nice drinking, this hot weather? Just cooled with ice-I don't know whether you feel the weather, Mis

sentiment into the bargain. "I do love you, dear papa!" said this perfect daughter-with a loo

his youngest child. "We

lee. "Does your head itch, my dear?" he asked. The idea was new to Zo. She brightened, and looked at her father with a sly smile. "Why do you do it?" Miss

aid the governess the compliment of reverti

cheering view. Do you think there would be any impropriety in my calling to thank him? Perhaps it would be better if I wrote, and enclosed two tickets for my friend's concert? To tell you the

erva looked at her watch. "Prepare y

ed in endless perplexity were crumpled by weary fingers, and stained by frequent tears. Oh, fatal knowledge! merc

mysterious question of Ovid's presence at the concert. She raised her k

t to herself, "what th

PTE

detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived. Her preparations for the reception of her niece were finished in advance, without an oversight in the smallest detail. Carmina's inviting bedroom, in blue, opened into Carmina's irresistibl

sitting-room upstairs, were in a position of i

a young lady in a swoon, with all the anxiety and alarm which he might have shown in the case of a near and dear friend. And yet, when this str

er conduct compli

n the usual way? There she lay on the sofa, alternately flushing and turning pale when she was spoken to; ill at ease in the most comfortable house in London; timid and confused under the care o

f enlightenment. The wrinkled duenna, sitting miserably on satin supported by frail gilt legs, seemed to take her tone of feeling from her young mistress, exactly as she took her orde

be just as difficult to

leness which presented him in a new character. His customary manner with ailing persons, women as well as men, was rather abrupt: his quick perception hurried him into taking the words out of their mouths (too pleasantly to give offence) when they were describing their symptoms. There he sat

could endure

ave interested instead of perplexing her. As it was, her scientific education left her as completely in the dark, where questions of sentiment were concerned, as if her ex

Ovid," she began, "Carmina must no

ose words stung

he repeated. "You talk as

et smile stop

at may happen," s

He spoke so fervently that the wo

niece, and proceeded quiet

away from us to-morrow. We will leave you for the present with your old friend. Pray ring, if you

n it. The duenna followed on tiptoe-folded her thumb and two middle fingers into the palm of her hand-and, stretching out the forefinger and the little finger,

his little attentions gratefully, Carmina checked him with innocent familiarity as he left his chair. "I must tha

em with interest, c

leave. "I shall call and see how you are to-morrow," he said, "before I go." He nodded kindly to Teresa. Instead of being satisfied with that act of courtesy, she wanted something more. "May I shake hands?" she asked. Mrs. Gallilee was a Liberal in politics; never had her principles been tried, as they were tried when she heard thos

and Ovid met the footman. "Mr. Mool i

, Ovid, for the next hal

? If it's law-business, I am af

late uncle's Will," Mrs. Gallilee answered. "You may hav

He asked an idle question. "I heard of their find

he people in Italy made up their minds, at last, to have the furniture in your uncle's room taken to pieces, they found the Will. It had slipped behind a drawer, in a

he had a legacy "I am not as much interested in it as you are," he explained. "Plenty of

in the hall, with an a

n a dreadful st

told you, only yesterday? The Wi

imself, "that I was not reminded of it, when I saw Carmina's rooms prepared for her." His mother, anxiousl

he said. "You are quite right. I ought to

no remark. Something seemed to move feebly under her powder and pa

ed to the schoolroom. She had lingered on the upper landi

TER

esides the books. It opened into a large conservatory; and it was ado

mentally reviewed the history of Mrs. Gallilee's family. What he did next, no person

attorneys? The fact shall be left to answer the question. Mr. Mool had made a mi

tain importance. It is connected with a blushing attorney. It will explain what happened on the r

eccentric man; but prospered, nevertheless, as a merchant in the city of London. When he retired from bus

umber:-his son Robert, and h

that he kept out of their way. No extraordinary interest was connected with their prospects in life: they would be married-and there would be an end of them. As for the son, he had long since placed himself beyond the narrow range of his father's sympathies. In the first place, his refusal to qualify himself for a mercantile career had made it necessary to dis

ry legacy of ten thousand pounds each. Their brother inherited the estate, and the bulk of the property-not

e children to marry w

anted no more. His wife's dowry was settled on herself. When he died, he left her a life-interest in his property amounting to six hundred a year. This, added to t

r son, on his coming of age, the widowed Maria might possibly have been

econd also in beauty; and yet, in the

vered it. From the horrid day when Susan became Lady Northlake, Maria became a serious woman. All her earthly interests centred now in the cultivation of her intellect. She started on that glorious career, which associate

ter-attraction in

t no sympathy with his wi

ut the school, the university, and the hospital have all in turn taken his education out of my hands. My mind must b

"drifting about," as he said of himse

e. But, invested at four percent, it added an annual two thousand pounds to Mrs. Vere's annual one thousand. Result, three thousand a year, encumbered with Mr. Gallilee. On reflection, Mrs. Vere accepted the encumbr

uring this interval of time? In t

made it. After returning the rector's visit, he failed to appear at church. No person with the smallest knowledge of the English character, as exhibited in an English county, will fail to foresee that Robert's residence on his estate was destined to come, sooner or later, to an untimely end. When he had finished his sketches of the picturesque aspects of his landed property, he disappeared. The estate was not entailed. Old Robert-who had insisted on the minutest formalities and details in provi

of him as a voluntary exile in Italy. He was building a studio and a gallery; he was co

sed-and the sisters

this event declared, with perfect truth, that he had chosen a virtuous woman for his wife. She sat to artists, as any lady might sit to any artist, "for the head only." Her pare

consultation, on the subject of their sister-in-law. Was it desirable

ly. If he held to this resolution, his marriage would surely be an endurable misfortune to his relatives in London. "Suppose we write to him," Susan conclu

iew, without a word of protest. She had her reasons-but they were not producible

ty. She was getting into debt again; and she was meditating future designs on her brother's purse. A charming letter to Robert was the result. It ended with, "Do send me a photograph of your lovely wife!" When the poor "mo

s paid his elder sister's debts. On every occasion when he helped her in this liberal way, she pro

im. It was his duty to have warned her of this, when she questioned him generally on the subject of the Will; and he had said nothing about it, acting under a most unbecoming motive-in plain words, the motive of fear. From the self-reproachful fe

TER

Mr. Mool's pulse steadied itself again. By special arrangement with the lawyer, Ovid had been always kept in ignorance of his mother's affair

ul nature) in a fringe across her forehead, balanced on either side by clusters of charming little curls. Her mourning for Robert was worthy of its Parisian origin; it showed to perfect

r. Mool? Have you bee

own, and who was an enthusiast in botany. It now occurred to him-if he innocently provoked embarrassing results-that ferns might be turned to useful and harmless account as a m

the table. "I want to be exactly acquainted with the duties I owe to Carmina. And, by the way

he inexhaustible sense of injury, aroused by that magnificent marriage, asserted its

lilee's face turned as hard as iron. "One hundred pounds," Mr. Mool continued, "to buy a mourning

to her son. "Any other legacy to Lady Northlake would have

e awful moment when the operator says "Let me look," and has his devilish instrument hidden in his hand. The "situation," to use the language of t

e wisely read the exact words of the Will, this time: "'And I give

only express itself in act

. "'Free of legacy duty,

le!" Ovid

is bequest."' He laid the Will on the table, and ventured to look up. At the same time, Ovid turned to hi

knew what the preservation of their tran

uman face. They might have read, in her eyes and on her lips, a warning hardly less fearful than the unearthly writing on the wall, which told the Easte

ion. All those formidable qualities in her nature, which a gentler and wiser training than hers had been might have held in check-by development of preservative influences that lay inert-were now

oo hot for you

question annoyed her at that moment.

enhair from my own little hot-house?" He smiled persuasively. The ferns were already justifying his confidence in their peace-making virtues, turned discreetly to account. Those terrible eyes rested on him mercifully. Not even a covert allusion to his silence in the

handed back the Will to Mr. Mool. Before Ovid could ask for it, she was ready with a plausible explanation. "When your uncle became a husband and a father," she said, "th

d to that high-minded order of men, who are slow to suspect, and

it," he said, "without

did not blush.

. Mr. Mool looked at Ovid. "The

me as he has remembere

membrance to my nephew. His father has already provided for him; and, with his rare abilities, he will make a second fortune by the exercise of his profession.' Mos

think, pass over that," she suggested, "and get to the part of it which r

rupted her. "That tiresome creature!" she said

of the conservatory. Mrs. Gallilee, as i

Minerva, my governess-growls just in that way whenever he sees her. I dare say

rs once more. He gathered a leaf, and returned to his place in a

galis. What a world of beauty in this bipinnate frond! On

Mr. Mool. No growl, or approach to a growl, now escaped him. The manner in which he laid himself down at Mrs. Gallilee's feet

of the Will, and arrived at the claus

ce, that the fortune left to Miss Carmina amounts, in round nu

stees," said

ool s

is a preliminary clause, in the event of your dea

thlake," said

ool s

dian, until she comes of age," he resu

nly Mrs. Gallilee, but Ovid also, no

at interval, with her

ve of her choice?" Mrs

jumped up to be patted. Ovid was too pre-occupied to notice this modest advance. The dog's eyes and ear

ered, "you are instructed by the testator to assert your reasons in the presence of-well, I m

allilee remarked. "And what, Mr. Mool,

estion absolutely. If the decision confirms your view, and if

way?" Mrs. G

mes of age, ma'am. Then,

rits the

if her marriage is disapproved b

becomes of

nvested by the Trustees, and will be divided

e leaves no

the last clause. I will only say now,

o her son. "When I am dead and gone," she

vid repeated, wondering wh

h God forbid!-can't you foresee what will happen?" his mother inqui

enough to check any further outpouring of such family feeling as this. Nothing w

rother's well-known liberality of feeling in a very interesting light. They relate to the provision made for his daughter, w

Mrs. Gallilee, with

iage to herself, whene

s-in such a climate as this

s, the Trustees are authorized to plac

ch! too

t Graywell had thought of his sister's interests, in making this e

her pocket money are inclu

as no limits," he said, "where his daughter is concerned. Miss Ca

Isn't it touching?" she said. "Dear Carmina! my own pe

ittle charities, my Trustees are hereby authorized, at their own discretion, to increase the amount, within the limit of another five hundred pounds annually.' It sounds

upted her once more. He made a sudden rush into the conservatory, barking with all his migh

h the dog ahead of him, tearing down t

of doing this, he had advanced at once to the second door, he would have seen a lady hastening into the house; and, though her back vi

, and saw Carmina at the

d instantly: he kissed his hand to her. She returned the salute (so familiar to her in Italy) with her gentle smile, and looked back into the room. Teresa showed herself at the window. Always following her impulses without troubling herself to

back to th

ening?" Mr. M

t could have upset that heavy flower-pot." He looked roun

dsome allowance made to her by her father. Having answered in the

give you a brief abstract. You know, perhaps, that Miss Carmina is a Catholic? Very natural-her poor mother's

s convictions began and ended with

fully. I reminded her that her brother had no near relations living, but Lady Nort

sed, "what is there to ag

o be wordy-paid, in fact, at so much a folio, for so many words!-and we like to clear the ground first. Your late uncle ends his Will, by providing for t

him again. "Do I remember the amount of the fortune correct

es

oney, if Carmina never marries,

the whole of the money goes to M

PTE

ht, after the reading of th

from the house of one of his neighbours who was giving a ball. He sat at his writing-table, thinking. Honest self-examination had la

in-and he had been bitterly disappointed when he heard that Mr. and Mrs. Gallilee were engaged, and that his cousin would take tea in her room. He had eaten something at this club, without caring what it was. He had gone to the Opera afterwards, merely because his recollectio

purposely deceiving himself. He was as certain as ever of the importance of rest and change, in the broken state of his health.

mate enough to trust each other unreservedly with secrets. The customary apology for breaking an engagement was the alternative that remained. W

f the half-hour by the hall clock startled him. The stroke of the bell was

appearance of surpris

ed, whenever her master was writing alone. Passing one day through a suburban neighbourhood, on his round of visits, the young surgeon had been attracted by a crowd in a by-street. He had rescued his present companion from starvation in a locked-up house, the barbarous inhabitants of which had gone away for a holiday, and had forgotten the cat. When Ovid took the poor

the animating influence. Even such a small interruption as the appearance of his cat rendered this service to Ovid. To use the comm

there is no such thing as true repose for us until we are freed from our dress. Men subjected to any excessive exertion-fighting, rowing, walking, working-must strip their bodies as completely as possible, or they a

rise he rose

ew course that he had taken, the more certain he might feel of not renewing the miserable and useless indecision of the

he sat down by the ornamental lake, and watc

ife? He was content to feel the charm without caring to fathom it. The lovely morning light took him in imagination to her bedside; he saw here sleeping peacefully in her new room. Would the time come when she might dream of him? He looked at his watch. It was seven o'clock. The breakfast-hour at Fairfield Gardens had been fixed for eight, to give him time to catch the morning train. Half an hour

gown, was seated on the bench in the hall. She rose, and advanced towards him.

vid took her into his consulting-room. She wasted no time in apologies or

se in half an hour!" O

g, so shy, so easily startled. And I must leave her-I must! I must! My old man is failing fast; he may die, without a creature to comfort him, if I don't go back. I could tear my hair when I think of it. Don't spea

Ovid, and laid her hand sud

rvants where you lived; and here I am-with the cruel teeth of anxiety gnawing me alive when I think of the time to come. Oh, my lamb! my angel! she's alone. Oh, my God, only seventeen years old, and alone in the world! No father, no mother; and soon-oh, too soon, too soon-not even Teresa! What are you looking at? What is there so wonderful in the tears of a stupid old f

ht looked wildly at Ovid out of her staring eyes. Some terrifying

id it, when you left us yesterday. It can't be! it

of the sea-voyage, before she was even sure of the impression she had produced on him, would be to place himself in a position f

th those cool and candid words of farewell, she advanced to the door-stopped suddenly to thi

ou by your na

tain

I go back to my husband. This is my last word-

ies-in my mother's house!" Ovid excl

r, and only answered him w

lies," she said. "Wa

PTE

room, when her son entered the house. They met

make his confession at that momen

Ovid's luggage is not ready yet," she anno

y dear," he said to Carmina; "and you will sleep as I do. Off I go when the light's out-flat on my back, as Mrs. Gallilee will tell you-and wake me if you can, till it's time to get up. Have some buttered eggs, Ovid. They're good, ain't they, Zo?" Zo looked up from her plate, and agreed with her father, in one emphatic word, "Jolly!" Miss Minerva, queen of governesses, instantly did her duty. "Zoe! how often must I tell you not to talk slang? Do you ever hear your sister say 'Jolly?'" That highly-cu

eyes and her lips. In her brief experience of England, Mr

er son's luggage, and on the rigorous

said to Ovid. "It's his business t

at prevailed to continue any longer. Ovid set t

said. "I have written an apology

ntiments were now expressed without hesitation and without reserve. She put down her spoon, and she cried, "Hooray!" Another exhibition of vulgarity. But even Miss Minerva was too completely preoccupied by the revelation which had

ht example. Mrs. Gallilee was th

raordinary proceedi

e face expressed it vividly. Who could mistake the faintly-rising colour in her cheeks, the sweet quickening of light in her eyes, when she met Ovid's look? Still hardly capable of estimating the influence that she exercised ov

riendly voice. She, too, had looked at Carmina-and ha

r your reasons

ole heart was set. He was so happy, that he kept his mother o

oyage is the right thi

nge of opinion," Mrs

with her. It was ra

at him, wondering whether h

f its own. She offered Ovid another cup of tea; and, more remarkable yet, she turned to her eldest daughter, and d

vered himself of his opinion. As it was, he only helped Zo to another spoonful of jam. "When Ovid first thought of that voyage," he went on, "I said, Suppose he's sick? A dreadful sensation isn't it, Miss Minerva? First you seem to sink into your shoes, and then it all comes up-eh? You're not sick at sea? I congratulate you

rose from

e both at the aviary, admiring the birds, and absorbed in their own talk. Mr. Gallilee resigned himself to his fate; appealing, on his way out, to somebody to agree with him as usual. "Well!" he said with a little sigh, "a cigar keeps one company." Mi

own crooked construction on this excellent advice

sometimes fulfilled, and so exhibit poor human wishes in a consolatory light. Th

d said to his mother, "Carmina is fond of birds. I have been telling her she may see all the

ith you," she said, "but my household affairs fill my morning. And there is a lecture this afternoon, which I cannot possibly lose. I don't know, Carmina, whether you are interested in these thing

thermancy of Ebonite, by some incomprehensible process, drove her bewildered mind back on her old comp

e a little pleasure too? I will give them a holiday. Don't be alarmed, Ovid; Miss Minerva

allilee to the immediate object which she h

yage. His mother was far too clever a woman to waste her time in that way. Her first words to

ed the door behind her. "Modest and natural-quite the

wned it by his silence. Mrs. Gallilee went o

uire some persuasion, before I quite sympathize with this new-what shall I call it?-infatuation is too hard a word, and 'fancy' means nothing. We will leave it a blank. Marriages of cousins are debatable

ities. "I don't at all follow you," he said, rather shar

s. Gallilee replied-still with the readi

nough in praise of her niece to satisfy him for the time being (without appearing to be meanly influenced, in modifying her opinion, by the question of money), her next object was to induce

not allow a patient, in your present state of health, to trifle with himself as your are trifling

d asked for time to think. To his infinite relief, he was interrupted by a knock at the

I disturb you

treat. He had some letters to wri

governess asked, when she

espect, Mi

he stairs. She says you wish t

n and Miss Carmina to

a said I was

na was perf

eyes on Mrs. Gallilee. "You really

d

now

y-and Mrs. Gallilee had got the worst of it. She learnt her lesson. For the future she knew h

let Mr. Ovid" (she laid a bitterly strong emphasis on the name, and flush

sser," Mrs. Gallile

e quietly still; "I have on

you what I

son is in love with his cou

oned the hour. The rude

She had already suspected Miss Minerva of being crossed in lo

ion," she said to herself.

PTE

begin by seeing the birds. Miss Minerva, with Maria in dutiful attendance, followed them. Teresa kept at a little distanc

ormation, that prize-pupil Maria held her governess captive at one cage; while Zo darted away towards another, out of reach of discipline, and good Teresa volunteered to bring her back.

r mother's governess for a

. "Will you let me put a quest

nswered in a whisper, "

ed. "I suspect," he added with a sm

r excuse was a woman's excuse a

o you

g at her. Does she

dren in that way? Besides, Miss Minerva is too well-bred a woman to degrade herself by ac

." Exactly like his mother! But it left Miss Minerva's motives involved in utter obscurity. Why had this highly cultivated woman accepted an inadequate reward for her services, for years together? Why-to take the event of that morning as another example-after plainly showing her temper to her employer, had she been so ready to submit to a suddenly decreed holiday, which disarranged her whole course of lesso

f excitement, called her away. Zo had just discovered the most amusing bird in the

words that passed her lips told their own story. While Carmina had been studying Miss Minerva, Miss Minerva had been studying Carmina. Already, the

ow much about birds?

women had been a little less limited, he too might have discovered Miss Minerva's secret. Even her capacity for self-control failed, at the moment when she took Carmina's place. Those keen black eyes, so hard and cold when they looked at anyone else-flamed with an all-devouring

poken of the birds," O

ary outbreak of jealousy under an impervious surface of compliment. "Miss Car

most agreeable aspect. She tried-struggled-fought with herself-to preserve appearances. The demon

tain

tion on my part," she said, with the pathetic humility that tries to be cheerful. "And another wa

with a new delight in being near her again. Zo was still in ecstasies over the Piping Crow. "Oh, the jolly little chap! Look how he cocks his head! He mo

opened her lips; Maria opened her lips. To the astonishmen

y too easy to see that Carmina had got him all to herself. The jealous little heart swelled in Zo's bosom. In silent perplexity she kept watch on the friend who had never disappointed her before. Little by little, her slow intelligence began to realise the discovery of something in his face which made him look

ectation of something to eat. Ovid was absorbed in attending to his cousin; he had provided himself with some bread, and was helping Carmina to feed the birds. But one person noticed Zo, now th

aring to touch his coat tails again. Miss Minerva tried hard to go on composedly with the dissertation on cranes. "Flocks of these birds, Maria, pass periodically over the southern and central countries

ed round directly.

es, Zo pointed to Ovid. "I say!" she whispered

d Ovid added the pacifying influence of a familiar pat on her cheek. Noticed at last, and satisfied that the bird was not to be bought for anybody, Zo's sense of injury was a

gan. "I saw another

ina asked-meaning,

ours," Zo answered-meaning, u

foresee embarrassing results if he allowed the conversation to

an oddity," her sympathies were attracted by this quaint child. In Teresa's opinion, seeing the animals was very inferior, as an amusement, to exploring Zo's mind. She produced a cake of chocolate, from a travelling bag which she carried with her everywhere. The cake was swe

em of children in intercourse with elders. Zo was so proud of having her own talk reported by a grown-up stranger, that she even forgot the chocolate. "I w

to the immature mind which Miss Minerva had so mercilessly overworked. Led by old Dame N

ow Joseph?

tman called by his name:

Matilda?" Z

till, she helped her little friend by a timely guess at what was coming, presented under

ly-the end of it

ent on, "you saw Joseph's f

urst out, with a scream of triump

in the way." And a big bamboo walking-stick pointed over their heads at Miss

d herself in the prese

TER

persons talking with him, no matter whether they were worthy of attention or not. His straight black hair hung as gracelessly on either side of his hollow face as the hair of an American Indian. His great dusky hands, never covered by gloves in the summer time, showed amber-coloured nails on bluntly-pointed fingers, turned up at the tips. Those tips felt like satin when they touched you. When he wished to be careful, he could handle the frailest objects with the most exquisite delicacy. His dress was of the recklessly loose and easy kind. His long frock-coat descended below his knees; his flowing trousers were veritable bags; his lean and wrinkled throat turned about in a widely-opened shirt-collar, unconfined by any sort of neck-tie. He had a theory that a head-dress should be solid enough to resist a chance blow-a f

passing look of gloomy indifference at the

nce of shyness which showed, like the snatching away of his stick, that she was familiarly acquainted with him, and accustomed to take liberties

me, if you tumbled over my big bamboo, and da

en to see Ma

now what she would say to me if you

ould sh

r Benjulia, your nam

was H

girls when they took away his walking-st

d say that,"

f his favourite recreations was tickling her. She obeyed, however, with the curious appearance of reluctant submission showing itself once more. He put two of his soft big finger-tips on her spine, just below the back of her neck, and pressed on the place. Zo started

xus," Doctor Benjulia ans

hich he had answered her as being equivalent to lessons. She declined to notice the Cervical

the dog. Do

n't k

that imprisoned the birds, or on the pipes that kept the monkey-house warm. "I have been playing the fool, ma'am, with this child," he said; "an

the ugly giant daunted, while it flattered her. "The manners of a p

octor,"-as if that was

him?" Teresa

as she had answered the

was passing at a little distance from them. Benjulia's great height, a

. Gallilee's old friends. "Of late years," she proceeded, "he is said to have discontinued medical practice, and devoted himself to chemical experiments. Nobody seems to

armina appealed

is guessed for me. And when I hear of mysteries, I am dying to have

of an excuse. But her eyes were irresistible:

he limits himself to serious cases-when other doctors are puzzled, you know, and want him to help them. With this exception, he has certainly sacrificed his professional interests to his mania for experimen

nterest: "Has nobody peeped i

dows-only a skyli

on the roof, and look i

servants is said to have tried

did the se

ry. One report says that he is trying to find a way of turning common metals into gold. Another declares that he is inventing some explosive compound, so horribly destructive that it will put an end to war. All I can tell you is, that his mi

ied?" Carmi

wife, you think we might get at his secrets? There is no su

even got a

n a hous

advancing towards them. "Excuse me for one minute," he

to Miss Miner

eping the tall man away from us," she

not only after what she had overheard in the conservatory, but after what she had seen in the Gardens-for winning Carmina's

d reason. Your cousin, Mr. Ovid Vere, said it was no easy matter to decide where instinct ended and reason began. In his own experience, he had sometimes found people of feeble minds, who judged by instinct, arrive at sounder concl

Mr. Gallilee," she said warmly; "he is su

llilee came up to his stepson, looking a little discomposed. He spoke in a whisper-you know his way?-'Ovid, do you like Doctor Benjulia? Don't mention it; I hate him.' Strong language for Mr. Gallilee, wasn't it? Mr. Ovid said, 'Why do you hate him?' And poor Mr. Gallilee answered li

d. At the same moment, one of the keepers of the animals approached Benjulia. After they had talked together for a whi

njulia and Ovid, walking on again slowly in the direction of the aviaries. "There's the big doctor who tickles me! He says he'll see the

atter with the poor cr

Minerva answered. "Doctor Benjulia wouldn't be interes

TER

in a minute. The minutes passed, and

leshless face. A scrupulously polite man, he was always cold in his politeness. He waited to have his hand shaken, and waited to b

ings You to the Zo

cy I might like to see the beast before they kill him.

ent, Ovid made no immediate reply. The

don't forgive the girl for slipping through our fingers; I hate to be beaten by Death, in that way. Have you made up yo

I am just a

orance will become knowledge-if a man is in earnest.

chance of occurring to the greatest ass in the profession," he answered, "as it has of occurring to me. I can put my

l friend so far, he became an inquisitive friend now. "You're going away, of course," he s

e objection

are becoming active centres of physiological inquiry. You will be dragged into it, to a dead certainty. They're sure to try what they can strike out by collisio

Have

dy-going doctors who leave the fools in Europe to pry into the secrets of Nature. Thousands of miles of

iscovery which he was in search of himself? And did the discovery relate to his

enjulia," he said. "Are you returnin

hatically on the gravel-walk. "Never

case, how could Ovid (who knew nothing of chemical experiments) be an obstacle in the docto

to hear of your dis

red ominously into a frown, "Damn t

kept in the dark in this way. "I suppose you

vacancy. His great head bent slowly over his broad breast. The whole man seemed to

ve ended in needlessly provoking an irritable man. Ovid looked

ho are your friends?" He rubbed his hand savagely over his forehead-it was a way he had of clearing his mind. "I know," he went on. "I saw your friends just now. Who's the young lady?" His most intim

not exactly to Ovid's taste. He shifted the topic to hi

few subjects on which he had not qualified himself to offer an opinion. He gave his head ano

d replied as sho

A girl of Lady

te uncle's

l. "What!" he cried, "has that misbeg

de of him, and the keeper of the monkeys on the other. Benjulia dismissed the man, with the favo

u said of my cousin,

prise the doctor. "Wha

rmina a 'misbegotten child.' Are you repeating

standstill. "Slander?" he

"Or a lie, if you like, told of a woman as

ut taking her away to the mountain air. I didn't think, myself, the mountain air would be of any use. It seems I was wrong. Well! it's a surprise to me to find her-" he waited, and calculated again, "to find her grown up to be seventeen years old." To Ovid's ears, there was an inhuman indifference in his

cidly. Ovid's anger had passed by him like the passing of the summer air. "Good-bye!"

derstood you, I beg your pardon. At the same time, I don't think I

t the rig

speak of a poor sickly child! Consider

e sentence with the grave composure that distinguished him. "When I said 'misbegotten,' perhaps I ought

persisted, "that seems unaccountable." He started, and seized Ben

octor, stopping dir

caused by the remains of an unlucky beetle, crushed under his fri

speechless. His medical instincts came to his assistance. "You had better leave London at once," he suggested. "Get into pure air, and be out of do

h his abortive little act of mercy. "You knew my uncle in Italy. It

d," he added with especial

el

f them. Nothing happened afterwards to put me in mind of the

her must have

lking of a relative who has married"-he stopped to choose his next

more rarely his family. There was another reason for Mrs. Gallilee's silence, known only to herself. Robert was in the secret of her debts, and Robert had laid her under hea

be gained by returning to the subject of her mother with su

I?"-with an unpleasant appearance of going through a form purely for form's sake. Ovid's natural gener

ude," he said. "Will you go back wit

own remarkable way. "No, thank you," he s

TER

e of a difference of opinion between two no less

ly before she complied with Zo's wishes. Would Miss Carmina like to visit the monkey-house? Ovid's cousin, remembering Ovid's promise, looked towards the end of the walk. H

in a new character. She surprised her compan

she asked. "I don't know much about fore

iss Minerva referred to her elder pupil with an encouraging smile. "Maria will inform you," she

imitation of her governess's method of instruction) for the benefit of unfortunate persons of the lower rank, whose education had been imperfectly carried out. The tone of amiab

t care. I shall be happy to point out to you the difference between the monkey and the ape. You are not perha

, Teresa checked the flow of infor

e?" she asked. "I want to know how the mon

condescended to enlighten

e cage. Branches of trees are also placed for their diversion; reminding many of them no doubt of th

f You, my young lady, goes a long way," she said. "Consi

ed yet. "Pardon me," she pleaded; "

he world over. Because a monkey is a nasty creature (as I have heard, not even good to eat when he's dead), that's no reason for taking him out of his own country and putting him into a

te hostility to Maria (using compassion for caged animals as the readies

of saying the last word. Miss Minerva's pupil, exuding information as it were at every pore in her skin, had been r

ntelligent curiosity leads us to study the habits of

lost he

life met with such a child before. If you please, madam governess, put this girl

, and looked at Carmina with a pleasant smile. "Worthy old creature! how full of humour she is! The energy of the people, Miss Carmina. I often remark the quaint force with which they express their ideas. No-not a word of apology, I beg and p

kept waiting for any length of time. In a

easts already,

ell! Dear old Teresa, why did you speak

as your poor father demented in his last moments,

ou said just the contrary of the fam

ch she had entered was now revealed as a sham, thanks to her own outbreak of temper. The one honest a

e you. After all, I dare say I'm more wrong than right in my opinion. But it is my opinion, for all th

ple, after only knowing them for a day or two! I am sure Miss Minerva has been very kind-to

tell me the poor old gentleman is harmless, surely. I shall not contradict that-I shall only ask, what is the use of a man who is as weak as water? Oh, I like him, but I distinguish! I also like Zo. But what is a child-especially when that beastly governess has muddled her unfortunate little head wi

a closed Teresa's lips. Ovid

s name. His cousin was interested enough in him already to ask herself what this mea

o very interesting?" s

greeable to him-and yet he returned to it. "By-the-by, did

know my fathe

says

ntroduce

ng introduced to the monkey to-day. Wh

"Take her to see some more birds, and trust me to keep the governess out of

e to a young girl, after an acquaintance of a day or two? The question

d, honestly opening his mind to her. "Wer

had not occurred to him to approach her with those secret tones and stolen looks which speak f

your kindness," she said. "I am more pl

ted, not immediatel

ould be an honour to the family. Ought I not to be prou

all his prospects of celebrity for the privilege of kissing her. He

remember where

ered passing you in the large Square. It seems a strange coincidence that yo

was no coincidence," he said. "After our meeti

nfused a less innocent girl. I

ou follow us

n? Ovid lost no time in setting her right. "I di

orbid sensitiveness, which was one of the most serious signs of his failing health, was by this time sufficiently

other in rapid changes on her mobile and delicate face.

too freely-a weakness which would never have misled him in his days of health and strength-kept his eyes on the ground. She looked away again with a quick flush of shame. When such a man as Ovid spoke of love at first sight, what an instance of her own vanity it was

was the inevitable result of his utter want of care for himself. After a sleepless night, he had taken a long walk before breakfast; and to these

d to Carmina sadly; "I am

know me," she cried,

met. The truth dawned

and tried desperately to catch at the branch of a tree near them. She threw her arms round him. With all her little strength she tried to hold him up. Her utmost effort only availed to drag him to the grass plot by their side, and to soften his fall. Even as the cry for help passed her lips, s

ustomary composure, and laid his hand on the heart of the fainting man, as coolly as if it had been the heart of a stranger. "Whi

eper quite understood what was required of him, Carm

l enough to over-exert himself." So he disposed of the case in his own mind. Having done that, he remembered the monkey, deposited for the time being on the grass. "Too

t bite m

tupor. The keeper obeyed his instructions, looking half stupefied himself: he seemed to be even more afraid of the doctor than of

. The doctor smelt it first, and then too

him the brandy?" she

e stimulant without hurrying himself. "Some girls would not have been able to speak, after

to himself?"

penter time, and he'll put it right again." He let his mighty hand drop on Ovid's breast. "This pump is out o

rn of colour. She was so relieved that she was able to listen to the doctor's oddly discursive tal

is thin-lipped mouth as if he was de

ebly, and half

he monkey." He dismissed the man, and tucked the monkey under one arm as if it had been a

on his arm. He shook it off-not angrily: just brushing it away, as he mig

t mean?" she asked timidly.

at once." He walked away. She followed him, humbly and yet reso

ver his shoulder

slowly reviving. With a fond and gentle han

derstand each other!" she said t

PTE

the warnings that he had rece

resistance to reason." The dreaded necessity for Teresa's departure had been hastened by a telegram from Italy: Ovid felt for Carmina's distress with sympathies which made her dearer to him than eve

or going away, with only this dumb farewell. I am so fond of you-that is my only excuse. While he still lives, my helpless old man has his claim on me. Write by every post, and trust me to write back-and remem

otted, and the r

d by a resolute side in the character of her niece, which took her by surprise. There might be difficulties to come, in managing Carmina, which she had not foreseen. Meanwhile, she was left to act on her own unaided discretion in the serious matter of her son's failing health. Benjulia had refuse

cess, was the influence of Carmina. Three days after Teresa's departure, she invited her niece to take tea in her own boudoir. Carmina found her reading. "A charming book," she said, as she laid it

et older." A book on the table attracted her by its beautiful binding. Sh

retty dress! You have taken up the 'Curiosities of Coprolites.' That

d, trying to inform herself on the

that began to appear, Mrs. Gallilee lo

ritten that book has discovered scales, bones, teeth, and shells-the undigested food of those interesting Saurians

Carmina answered. "I have found many vo

tted patiently to her niece's simplicity. "Poetry?" she

ng topic. "What beautiful flowers yo

body has flowers in their drawing-r

ange them yo

myself to arrange them. What would be the use of the man if I did?" This view of the question struck Carmina dumb. Mrs. Gallilee

she was going to say "Good Heavens!" again, and perhaps to endure it no longer. Carmina was too simple to int

ciety, my child, you will know that one must like music. So again w

social sacrifices, the servant cam

ef. "I knew it!" she said to herself. "I have always maintained that the albuminoid substance of frog's eggs is insufficient (viewed as nourishment) to transform a tadpole into a frog-and, at last, the Professor owns that I am right. I beg your pardon, Carmina; I

itical consequences of the granting of Magna Charta"-and now stood reserved for punishment, when her mother "had time to attend to it." Mrs

both," she began, "on

ively observed Mrs. Gallilee. "Why am I invited to hear what she has to say about her son?" was the question which occ

oned, and corr

n heiress, is not infrequently misused. To check the further growth of a friendship of this sort (without openly offending Miss Minerva) was an imperative duty. Mrs. Gallilee saw her way to the discreet accomplishment of that object. Her niece and her governess were interested-diversely int

," Mrs. Gallilee proceeded. "Let me set the example of speaking without

other calculations, the possibility of exciting some accidental betrayal of her governess's passion for her son. On alluding to Ovid, she turned suddenly t

, having no suspicion of the discovery of her secret by her employer. But to feel herself baffled in trying to penetrate

ur confidence"-was what she said. "Trip me u

llilee

rd old people say) look the facts in the face. If Ovid had not seen you, he would be now on the health-giving sea, on his way to Spain and Italy. You are the innocent cause of his obstinate indifference, his most deplorable and dangerous disregard of the duty which he owes to himself. He refuses to listen to his mother, he sets the opinion of his skilled medical

appearance and an easy conscience, not even that sister could ha

I should have said to the best of my poor ability exactly what you have said now." She bent her head with a

uestionably the most crafty and most cruel woman of the two-possessing the most dangerously deceitful manner, and the most mischievous readiness of l

was intended to hide it. "I am apt to doubt myself," she said; "and such sound encouragement as yours always rel

a agreed. "May I ask for a l

lee turned

to one of my own daughters, if she had been of your age. Te

rmina obeyed. "I will do my

? Go

tried gentle remonstrance. "My chil

afraid. But she

," she resumed. "I don't like to hear you say th

there was an implied rebuke in this. In her pre

ffect to be ignorant, my dear, o

er women, this gentle creature showed that she could resent an insult. The f

e me of decei

lse modesty," Mrs.

another word-and wa

, Mrs. Gallilee appealed to Miss

e door," the govern

joking, Mi

joking eit

receives a salary and teaches your children. Mrs. Gallilee was so angry, by this time, that she forgot the importance of preventing a conference between M

you another

ore. May I retu

ll me

he heard a knock at the door. Had Mrs. Gallilee followed h

Miss M

TER

d you?" said the governess,

unt," Carmina answered

ou been

help it, M

elly to you-I don't wond

m sorry and ashamed. How can I make it up with my aunt? Shall I go back at once

our friend?" she proposed. "I advise you not to go back yet to your aunt-and I will tell you why. Mrs. Gallilee bears mali

on't think that I would

d: and, if there is anything good in me, it doesn't show itself on the surface. Yes! yes! I believe you are beginning to understand me. If I can make your life h

n the bosom of the woman who was deceiving her. "I have nobody left, now Teresa ha

ved nor spoke. She wait

She had entered the room, with her own base interests to serve. In her small sordid way she, like her employer, was persecuted by debts-miserable debts to sellers of expensive washes, which might render her ugly complexion more passable in Ovid's eyes; to makers of costly gloves, which might show Ovid the shape of her hands, and hide their colour; to skilled workmen in fine leather, who could tempt Ovid t

u easie

, de

rva. "I have been treating you as if I had a sister,"

s your siste

led by her own fervour. "Shall I tell you what to do with M

d you will ta

ved very badly, and I am very much ashamed of it. May I trust to your kind indulgence to forgive me? I will try to be worthier of your kind

hen Mrs. Gallilee is angry, she doesn't get over it so soon as you seem to think. Leave her to dabble in science first," said the governess in tones of immea

glass over the miniature portraits inside. "Would you like to see them?" she said to Miss Minerva. "My mother's likeness was painted for me by my father; and then he had his photograph taken to match it. I open my portraits and look at them, while I say my prayers. It's almost like having them alive again, sometimes.

a had fatally weakened the good influences which she had herself produced. The sudden silence of her new

N

Carmina tried again. "Besides, there are my au

t." Her tone softened a little. "You are young, Carmina-I suppose I may call you by your n

uite under

Vere to leave London is anxiety about his health? Do you f

as quite unable to disguise. "Are you afraid to trust me?" Mis

feel a little strangeness between us? It seems to be so formal to call you

unwillingly. "My name is F

y n

e went to the looking-glass, and pointed disdainfully to the reflection of herself. "Sickening to think of," she said, "when you look at that. Call me Fran

t," she answered. "I am afraid we shall never be-what we ought to be to each other. When she came to

by a gesture; then by a suggestion: "

dead. I can only tell you of it in that way. It was a dreadful surprise to me to remember it-and a dreadful pain-when they brought me to myself again. Though I do look so little and so weak, I am stronger than people think; I never fainted before. My aunt is-how can I say it pro

said Miss Minerva. "Is that th

reason can

d it, even to speak of the bare possibility of Carmina's marriage to

rriages between Catholics and Protestants. You are a Catholic-" No! She could not trust herself to refe

hat that is?"

han you do

n, and to the necessity of saving herself from discovery,

uess what it is?"

a fortune of his own. She may wish him to marry a lady of high rank. But-no

way?" Car

u," Miss Minerva answer

le help in her Latin lesson. Noticing Carmina's letter, as she advanced to the door, it struck Miss Minerva that the woman might deliver it. "Is Mrs. Gallilee at ho

remained in the room; and produced a morsel of folded paper, hitherto c

r. Ovid

TER

waiting for you in th

nt in her own experience-ventured on an expression of sympathy, before she returned to the servants' hall. "Please to excuse me, Miss;

e of the Square-and he did

t among the trees. In the later evening-time the Square was almost empty. Two middle-aged ladies, walking up and down (who considerately remembered their own youth,

w that you have com

dn't stop to think of it, when I

ient servant, Miss Minerva, is sure to interrupt us. At last, my darling, I have got you to myself! You know that I love you. Why can't I look into your h

ess were in her mind; her own conviction of the want of all sympath

th those words he dropped her h

she pitied him. "If I only had myself to think of-" Her voice failed her. A new life came into

afraid of distressing you, Ovid; and I am so anxiou

y mother to

vening, your mother sent for me, and-don't be angry!-I am afraid she might be vexed if she knew what you have been saying to me. P

has sh

ce of speaking to him of other in

heart. Dear Ovid, you know how I shall miss you; you know what a loss it will be to me, when you say good-bye-but there is only o

" he answered. "You

sake. Only for

me to come

to ask the

ge will do anything for me, no climate will restore my health-unless you give me your love. I am old enough to know myself; I have thought of it by da

laid on herself grew harder and harder to endure. The tears rose in her eyes. He saw them; they embittered his m

mother's doi

t between mother and son, so completely overcame her that she even made an attempt to defend Mrs. Gallilee! At the first w

t your own inclinations. It would be cruel and needless-I have got at the truth at last. In the one hope

s eyes dropped before her

gry with me

how angry I am with myself! It cuts me to the heart to see how I have distressed you. I am a miserable selfish wretch; I d

s round his neck, and laid her burning cheek against his face. "I can't help it," she whispered; "oh, Ovid, don't despise me!" His arms closed round her; his lips were pressed to hers. "Kiss me," he sa

eak again. "How can I

self by hard names, and said you didn't deserve my love?" Her smile vanished softly, and left only a look of tender entreaty in its place. "Set me an example of firmness, Ovid-don'

yours; my will is yours. Decide f

lity, that she answered him as gravely as if she had bee

e to be

o send him away. "No," she said; "it isn't that. I was wondering at

s was the only sound near them-his kisses lingered on her face. She sighed softly. "Don't make it too hard for me to send

week. She inquired if Saturday would be too soon to begin his journey. No

yet where you wi

ent state, will only do me harm. The difficulty is where to go to. I have been t

or's name, her hand mech

seemed to have more feeling for the monkey than for you or me. It was certainly kind of him to t

m Carmina, sounded strange to him.

laugh at

now I

pportunities of noticing our old friend's hands. They were covered with stains; and he caught me looking at them. He was not in the least offended; he told me his experiments had spotted his skin in that w

enjulia for years, I have never noticed, wh

way of cleaning the s

tween the great chemist's attention to the monkey, and the perplexing purity of his hands, persisted in vaguely asserting itself in

hinking,

"I want you to promise me somet

don't love me

t once! How long do y

three mont

you return, before y

e are e

es

se, Carmina; but y

hy

under my mother's care. An

n words-and they s

e with herself or with him was out of the question. That very evening she had quarrelled with his mother; and she had yet to discover whether Mrs. Gallilee had forgiven her. In her heart of hearts she hated deceit-and in her heart of hearts she longed to set his mind at ease. In that e

elf!" she said. "I feel your mother's superiority-and you tell me

ble. Ovid resisted, nevertheless. Carmina pl

my china-my flowers? I should be the most insensible cr

ou are afra

arm impatientl

f you're not afraid, why do you wish to kee

nd who is not supple enough to slip through the stiff fingers of

want her to know of our engagement just yet-isn't that a good reason?" She rested her head caressingly on his shoulder. "Tell me," sh

her words, to wait until he had won the highest honours of his profession-before he thought of marrying at all? But Carmina was too precious to h

I could feel sure, Carmina-in leaving you with her-that

as gaily as she could. "You will be ashamed to remember your own misgivings. And don't forget, dear

surprise. "A friend in my

tain

is

Mine

le amazement, that Carmina's sense of just

dear father used to call ugly women the inexcusable mistakes of Nature. Poor Miss Minerva says herself she is ugly, and expects everybody to misjudge her accordingly. I don't misjudge her, for one. Teresa has left me; and you are

that justified his prejudice against the governess. Still, Carmina's sudden conversion inspired

she replied, in the

e reasons might be. But valuable opportunities may be lost, even in a mom

sed. "Surely, I heard s

from the outer side of the garden. They start

TER

re you in t

pered. "We will come to you

ey were within sight of each other. "You will have no more cause to compl

ina instead of to her son. "Thank you, my de

he sent Ovid across the road to knock at the house-door, and took Carmina's arm confidentially. "You little goose!" she whis

y went into the library. Mrs. Gallilee enf

haven't recovered it yet. Fifty miles above us-only fifty miles-there is an atmosphere of cold that would freeze the whole human family to death in a second of time. Moist matter, in that terrific emptiness, would explode, and become stone; and-listen to this, Carmina-the explosion itself would be frozen, and produce no sound. Think of serio

enjulia's suggestion, and ask

a steamer for Canada sailed from Liverpool on Saturday. Ovid could secure his cabin the next morning ("amidships, my dear, if you can possibly get it"), and could leave London by Friday's train. In her eagerness to facilitate his departure, she proposed to superintend the shutting up of his house, in his absence, and to arrange the disposal of the servants, if he c

mina could see that Mrs. Gallilee's overpower

me. My housemaid and kitchenmaid will go to their friends in the country; the cook will look after the house; and her nephew, the little page, is almost a

to ring the bell. "Expect me to-morrow," he whispered. "I love you!-love you!-love

expected to hear something of h

da-water, she sent for Miss Minerva to join them, and hear the good news; completely ignoring the interruption of their friendly relations, earlier in the evening. She became festive and facetious at the sight of the soda-water. "Let us imitate the men, Miss Minerva, and drink a toast before we go to bed. Be cheerful, Carmina, and share half a bottle of soda-water with me. A pleasant journey to Ovid, and a safe return!" Cheered by the influences of conviviality

edroom, the governess ominous

rs. Gallilee in such spirits before. What mischief

TER

ised no deteriorating influenc

nd the children, were kept out of the way with a delicately-exercised dexterity, which defied the readiest suspicion to take offence. In one word, all that sympathy

templated journey-despatched by the morning's post. The doctor was confined to the house by an attack of

o Doctor Benjulia's h

ev

is mere report? Now you will find o

mind. Mrs. Gallilee (superior to the influence of girlish curiosity) felt the importance of obtaining introductions to Canadian society, and agreed with her niece.

te, with such a result as this, Ov

olitudes within an hour's drive of Oxford Street-wooded lanes and wild-flowers, farms and cornfields, still unprofaned by the devastating brickwork of the builder of modern times. Following winding ways, under shadowing trees,

on gate, opening ou

pt at flower-garden or kitchen-garden was visible. At a distance of some two hundred yards from the house stood a second and smaller building, with a skylight in the roof, which Ovid recognised (from description) as the famous laboratory. Behind it was the hedge which parted Benjul

's observation of the doctor) he even tried the locked door of the laboratory, and waited and listened! It was a breezy summer-day; the leaves of the trees near him rustled cheerfully. Was there another sound audible? Yes-low and faint, there rose through the sweet woodland melody a moaning cry. It paused; it was

laboratory had, by this time, become an object of

f the gate, and looked back at

mself-what his mother and Carmina might think of him-if he returned without having entered the doctors' house, were considerations which had no influence over hi

vant appeared at the door-crossed the enclosure-and t

There were the plastered walls, there was the bare floor, left exactly as the builders had left them when the house was finished. After a short absence, the man appeared again. He might

ried Benjulia, the mome

y eyes, and shook his clenched fists, resting on the arms of an easy chair. "Ten thousand red-hot devils are boring ten thousand holes through my foot," he said. "If you touch the pillow on my stool, I shall fly at your throat." He poured some cooling lotion fr

rd, he perceived a dining-table, six chairs, and a dingy brown carpet. There were no curtains on the window, and no pictures or prints on the drab-coloured walls. The empty grate showed its bleak black cavity undisguised; and the mantelpiece h

he repellent presence of Benjulia, Ovid answered in a

e is dull. Why haven't you plant

d; "but I have a habit of speaking my mind. I don't object

care about furnitur

its customary torpor in its own strangely unconscious way. He seemed only to understand that Ovid's curiosity was in search of information about

nd chairs, and beds and basins. Buying things at shops doesn't interest me. I gave her a cheque; and I told her to furnish a room f

sure only added to hi

Ovid broke out. "Have you nob

am happy

right cynici

nt of view-he even used the same word that you used just now. I suppose he found my cynicism beyond the reach of reform. At any rate, he left off coming here. I got r

our indifference? You must

in considering the question that Ovid had proposed.

tupid sensualist-that's what he is. I let his wife come here sometimes, and cry. It doesn't trouble me; and it seems to relieve her. More of my indifference-eh? Well, I don't know. I gave her the change out of

d the subject. "Your servant is a

ith every other man I've had. They can't quarrel with this man. I have raise

on why you don't

ike dogs.

ed gloomily into vacancy. Ovid's presence in the room seemed to have become, for the time being, an impression erased from his

a, and you want to get at what I can tell you before you start

red. Steadily and copiously his mind emptied its information into Ovid's mind; without a single digression from beginning to end, and with the most mercilessly direct reference to the traveller's practical wants. Not a word escaped him, relating to national character or to

e you ever noticed that women have one pleasure which lasts to the end of their lives?" he said. "Young and old, they have the same inexhaustible enjoyment of society; and, young and old, they are all alike i

l of the room. The big bamboo-stick rested there. A handle was attached to it, made of light-coloured horn, and on that handle there were some stains. Ovid looked at them with a su

d stopped, as if some doubt tempted him to change his mind. The hesitation was only momentary. He p

n't worry your brains with medical talk. Keep off one subject on your

e uttered the last word. Benjulia l

suspect each other? Ovid, on his side, determined not to

er," he began; "and I wil

social virtues had its limits. His reserves of

more I can do for y

e question," Ovid repli

t you think we said enough about your

other. "You have your own merciful disposition to blame, if I return to the

s my kindness the bett

lad to

hy

creature was

do you

at I heard

he

ding behind

the wind in

e your chemical experime

attack, without giving ground

bull is nothing to my friend, if you speak to him of Vivisection. Now I have somethin

Ovid; "tha

t, Benjulia's strange jealousy of his young colleague-as a possible rival in some field of discovery which he cla

for your health; don't let inquisitive strangers lea

" Ovid rejoined, determined t

perfect agreement wi

d of new ideas

hout hesitation or embarrassment. "Good-bye!" he resumed

oked at his letter to the doctor at Mont

giving him the letter, so he no

using the introduction. Time was still to pass, before events opened his eyes to the importance of his decision. To the end

PTE

on for a journey. When are we most acutely sensible of the shortness of life? When do we consult our watches in perpetual drea

ad hardly time to ask himself if Friday had really come, b

airfield Gardens late in the afternoon. Finding no one in the libr

ietly, so far as her voice was concerned. But she still kept her eyes on her book. Ovid knew that she was off

e one person in the world who is mo

asked, "that you and Carmin

e engagement. Will you be plainer with me than you wer

t?" Mrs. Gall

quite natural that Carmina should have attracted me; but you were careful not to encourage the idea

lways give t

hey are wom

I may add that a man with your brilliant prospects has, in my opinion, no reason to marry unless his wife is in a position to increase his influence and celebrity. I had looked forward to seeing my clever son

that you hesitate

ef reply she rose t

bookcase. "Has Carmina

its place. "Carmina has c

ay it

t matter, if I

t. "Oh, mother, no words can tell you how fond I am of Car

armina, when you leave her here. My dead brother's child, is my child. You may be sure of that." She took his hand, and drew him to her, and kissed his forehead with dignity and deli

ed. "For instance, do you object to my taking Carmina to part

o this. "Do everything you can to make her life happ

to visitors," she went on, "I presume you wish me to be ca

than my little Carmina!" A thought struck him while he said it. The brightness faded out of his face; his

is

an who has excited her cu

tions. It was hard in tone, and limited in range-it opened her mouth, but it failed to kind

r mistake in your life,"

jection to him?" Mrs

mother's estimation. If, on the other hand, he described what had passed between them when they met in the Zoological Gardens, Mrs. Gallilee might summon Benjulia to explain the slur which he had indirectly cast on the memory of Carmina's mother-and might fin

would have told a more suspicious man that he had made a mistake. Ovid h

since the day had been fixed for his departure. He attributed this impression to his natural impatience for the appearance of his cousin-until the plain evidence of the clock pointed

nd held out her hand w

I'm obliged to prepare the children's lessons for to-morrow; and this is my only opportunity of bidding you good-bye. You have

im again, and looked at him for the first time. "I have one thing more to say," she broke out. "I will

plexed and annoyed. She had passed Frances on the stairs-had

n Miss Minerv

sofa. "I don't understand Miss Minerva," he said. "Ho

first; and she seemed to be so anxious about it

But why couldn't she say good-bye (with the others

e hair over Ovid's forehead. "Miss Minerva is

d of

iled to attract her attention. She quietl

ear hero. Oh, what shall I do when day after day passes, and only takes you farther and farther away from me? No! I won't cry. You shan't go away with a heavy heart, my dear one, if I can help it. Where is your photograph? You promised me your photograph. Let me look at it. Yes! it's like you, and yet not like you. It will do to think over, when I am alone. My love, it has copied your eyes, but it has not copied the divine kindness and goodness that I

happiness, while it lasted. Mrs. Gallilee broke the charm. She su

last embrace. She threw herself on the sofa, as he left her-with a gesture which entreated him to go, whi

tried hard to get the better of his manhood: they had shaken, but had not conquered

ured her son with one more kiss, and reminded him of the railway. "We understand each other, Ov

ce which did honour to the family dancing-master.

favourable season you may look forward to a pleasant voyage. Please accept my best wishes." She

sign from his wife. One of his plump red hands held a bundle of cigars. T

accept it. Five-and-forty years old-would you like to taste it? Would you like to taste it, my dear?" Mrs. Gallilee seized the "Railway Guide" again, with a terrible look. Her husband crammed the big flask into one of Ovid's pockets, and the cigars into the other. "You'll find them a comfort when you're away from us. God bless you, my son! You don't min

view, from under the table. Ovid took his little sist

ouldn't I?" she screamed through her tears. "Dear Zoe, you are too young," Maria remarked. "Damned nonsense!" sobbed Mr. Gallilee; "she shall write!" "Time, time!" Mrs. Gallilee reiterated. Taking no part in the dispute, Ovid directed two envelopes for Zo, and quieted her in that way. He hurried into the hall; he glanced at the stairs that led to the drawing-room. Carmina was on the landing, waiting for a farewell look at him. On the higher flight of stairs, invi

UME

TER

departure, the three ladies of the household we

hands of his wife, as if Mr. Gallilee had been dead. A sheet of paper lay near the cheque-book, covered with calculations divided into two columns. The figures in the right-hand column were contained in

: some partially paid, some not paid at all. If she wearied of the prospect thus presented, and turned for relief to her letters, she was confronted by polite requests for money; from tradespeople in the first place, and from secretaries of fashionable Charities in the second. Here and there, by wa

e investments. What she could pay at any future time was far more plainly revealed to her than what she might owe. With tact and management it would be pos

he six mont

ext decided on her contributions to the Charities, this iron matron took up h

entral figure

assed by expensive tastes, he had some thousands of pounds put by-for the simple reason that he was at a loss what else to do with them. Thus far, her brother's generosity had spared Mrs. Gallilee the hard necessity of making a confess

r. But her son had resolved to marry Carmina. What wo

esult, but three results.

result would

loss to Mrs. Gallilee and her daughters of the splendid fortune rese

usband's income to the wife's) about eight

he made to the claims of society. Young Mrs. Ovid Vere, at the head of a household, would have the grand example of her other aunt before her eyes. Although her place of residence might not be a palace, she would be a poor creature indeed, if she failed to spend eight thousand a year, in the effort to be worthy of the social position of Lady Northlake. A

an, as the thought in her co

sinister meaning of their own, beyond the reach of words. And

eared with her mistress's customary cup of tea. Mrs. Gallilee asked for

e the you

taken them ou

had their m

left word yesterday that he wo

Gallilee k

master, while I was helping

Minerva to come her

droom, looking out vacantly at the backs of h

She, too, was thinking of Ovid and Carmina. Her memo

ily, had forced her to ask a favour of Carmina, and to ask it under circumstances which might have led her rival to suspect the truth. Admitted to a private interview with Ovid, she had failed to control her agitation; and, worse still, in her ungovernable eagerness to produce a favourable impression on him at parting, she had pr

rtyard-it was far enough below to kill her instantly if she fell on it. Through the heat of her anger there crept the chill and stealthy prompti

The woman was one of Miss Minerva's many enemies in the house. "Mrs. Gallilee wishes to

Gal

romise at that moment. It s

d eyes. Her shaggy black hair stood in need of attention next. She took almost as much pains with it as if she had been going into the presence of Ovid himself. "I must make a calm appearance

ion? or was there really a chance of hearing the question

to mention her object? Miss Minerva was equally ready for her employer, in that case. The doubt which had prompted her fruitless suggestions to Carmina, when they were alone in the young girl's room-the doubt whether a clue to the discovery of Mrs. Gallilee's motives might

riting-table; and she now presented herself, reclining in an easy chair,

nd writing letters," she said. "I wish y

ce. Three cheques for charitable subscriptions, due at that date, were waiting to be sent to three secretaries, wi

ing me my fan? I feel perfectly helpl

eat, p

esources seem to increase. On principle, I dislike

ct of the interview, as something which might accidentally suggest itself in the course of conversation. Miss Minerva

ions, for instance, are more than I ought to give. And what happens if I lower the amou

rt expected of her. "You might perhaps do

e and pleasure of improving my mind. But I have Lady Northlake for a sister; and I must not be entirely unworthy of my family connections. I have two daughters; and I must think of their interests. In a few years, Maria wil

Mrs. Gallilee. I can

rtant of Maria's accomplishments, I am entirely dependent on yourself. I know nothing of music. You are not respo

satis

an I express it?-shall I say beyond t

ainly

nk equal to the instruction of an olde

s. Gallilee show an interest, for the first time, in Mr. Le Frank's capacity as a teacher? Who was this "older and more advanced pupil," for whose appe

Mr. Le Frank an excel

definite answer than th

the pupil to whom you refer. I don't even know (which adds to m

Mrs. Gallilee quietly,

tion, the allusion to Carmina's name could only lead, in due course, to the subject of Carmina's marri

TER

val of silence bet

into Mrs. Gallilee's confidence. The sparrows twittered in the garden; and, far awa

noisy," said

ds out of tune," Mi

Gallilee must return to the matter in

not made myself unde

been very stupid," M

new form. "We were speaking of Mr. Le Frank as a teacher, and of my niece as a pupi

ever. She answered, "I have had no

he handed a letter to Miss Minerva. "I have received a proposal fr

struction, he ventured to hope that he might have the honour and happiness of superintending her studies. Looking back to the top of the

e his request into considera

master to teach the children, her son had disapproved of employing Mr. Le Frank. This circumstance might possibly be worth bearing in mind. "Do you see any objection to accepting Mr. Le Frank's proposal?" Mrs. Galli

ed. "Do you allude to Mr.

s instructions would be of

hinking of

lee. I am think

way, if y

would object to employing Mr. Le

ical gr

personal

do you

on on your son; and Mr. Ovid made certain inquiries which you had not thought necessary. Pardon me if I persist in mentioning the circumstances. I owe it to myself to justify my opinion-an opinion,

s Minerva! I am surprised t

if Maria and Zoe had been older, he should have advised employing a music-master who had no false reports against him to contradict. As they were only children, he would say nothing more. That is what I had in my mind, when I gave my opinion. I think Mr. Ovid will be annoyed when he hears

her hands on her lap, and wa

eeping up appearances in the face of detection. You are going to use Mr. Le Frank as a means of making mischief between Ovid and Carmina. If you had taken me into your confidence, I might have b

governess's secret feeling towards her son to encourage, without hesitation or distrust, any project for promoting the estrangement of

ment to Carmina." Having planted that sting, she paused to observe the effect. Not the slightest visible result rewarded her. She went on. "Almost the last words he said to me expressed his confidence-his a

ainly as you do," Miss Minerva quiet

rence does

of depression. At such times, trifles are serious things; and even well-meant words-in letters-are sometimes misunderstood. I can offer no b

her sting, she

rther commands f

ider Mr. Le Frank to be competent, as director of any young lady's musical studies? Thank you. On

room, I

the goodness to

test pleasure.

t attempt to make use of Miss

TER

for retiring to their own rooms. Carmina was in solitude as a matter of necessity. The

y affinities with the decline of life. As the evening wore on, her loneliness had become harder and harder to endure. She rang for the maid, and asked if Miss Minerva was at leisure. Miss Minerva had been sent for by Mrs. Gallilee. Where was Zo? In the schoolroom, waiting until Mr. Le Frank had done with Maria, to take her turn at the piano. Left alone again, Carmina opened her locket, and put Ovid's portrait by it on the t

lee wishes

there anything

makes you

ng for you to keep me company! And now you are here, you look at

t. I am n

d, and then blow on it to cool you this hot weather. No? S

ad better no

hy

sent me here instead of sending a maid, on the chance that I may commit some imprudence. I give you her messag

se. Is it anyth

N

a little. Do sit down!

ut w

vid, of

conduct, on the day of Ovid's departure, had aroused no jealous sus

r aunt is out of temper," sh

a rapid little series of knocks at the door. Was the person in a hurry? The person proved to be the discreet

. Le Frank can do nothing with Zoe. Oh, dear!" She sighed

eing irritated; she felt inclined to abuse the girl for believing her. "You fool, why don't you see through me? Why don't you write to that other fool who is in love with you, and tell him how

xit. With a few hurried words of apology, Miss Minerv

hard on Zo

y," Miss Minerva

ther day she had bread and water for tea. I am so fond of Zo! And besides-" she looked doubtf

herself, this expression of opinion excited the gover

ing Mr. Le Frank is so ugl

keep your opinion to you

her used to say that all

Mr. Le Frank a

tion of the most mechanical kind. A musical box is as

iend's company. She turned gaily to the piano,

single peremptory knock this

ad prevented her from quitting the room. She looked

ed rage. "That little devil has run away!" he said-and hurried down t

me?" Carmina a

have heard

d himself inform the governess of an incident, so entirely beyond the reach of his own interference as the flight of Zo. But it was impossible to assume that the furious anger which his face betrayed, cou

e, to attend on her aunt; Miss Minerva, ponderi

y followed her. The young rebel was locked up. "I don't care," said Zo; "I hate Mr. Le Frank!" Miss Minerva's mind was too seriously preoccupied

Carmina's teacher. Another result, however, was certain. Miss Minerva thoroughly well knew t

TER

f July was

. Her answer contained a record of domestic events, during an interval of serious importance in her l

this late reply to your sad news from

ly of myself? Over and over again, I have thought of you and have opened my desk. My spirits have failed me, and I have s

agine how beautifully, how tenderly he writes! I am almost reconciled to his absence, when I read his letter.

hear you say to yourself, 'Is she unhappy in her English home? And is Aunt Gallilee to blame for it?' Yes! it is even s

Frank looked like a rogue? I don't know whether he is a rogue-but I d

ned three

ess and respect. She answered that she had already chosen a music-master for me-and then, to my astonishment, she mentioned his name. Mr. Le Frank, who taught her children, was also to te

aunt. It would have been ungrateful and usel

r his conduct is, that he heard me speak of him-rashly enough, I don't deny it-as an ugly man and a bad player. Miss Minerva sounded him on the subject, at my request, for the purpose of course of making my apologies. He affected not to understand what she meant-with what motive I am sure I don't know. False and revengeful, you may say, and perhaps you may be right. But the serious part of it, so far as I

? No, Teresa; not even yet. Oh, h

remember-even if I am wrong-what a solitary position mine is, in Mrs. Gallilee's house! I can play with dear li

be possible; I resented the bare idea of it as a cruel insult to my friend. Since that time-my

you how it beg

ife is to prevent him from feeling anxious about me. And, besides, I have contended against his opinion of Miss Minerva, and have brought

e did? She crushed up the bank-notes in her hand, and left the room in the strangest headlong manner-as if I had insulted her instead of helping her! All the next day, she avoided me. The day after, I myself went to her room, and asked what was the matter. She gave me a most extraordinary answer. She said, 'I don't know which of us two I most det

he broke out again, and put my affection for her to

; he believed she would do all that lay in her power to make my life happy in his absence; and he only regretted her leaving him in such haste that

ived me? Nobody-I say it po

t to me? What do I care about your life, in his absence? Of what earthly consequence are his remembrance and his gratitude to Me!' She spoke of him, with such fury and such contempt, that she roused me at last. I said to her, 'You abominable woman, there is but one

, I see that you ask if I ha

declare that no such comparison is possible between them now. In look, in voice, in manner there is something so charming in Lady Northlake that I quite despair of describing it. My father used to say that she was amiable and weak; led by her husband, and easily

ad a long delightful talk together. She asked me so kindly to visit her in Scotland,

iastic account of all that had passed between her sister and myself. How do you think

'and I am acting in the exercise of my own discretion. I think it better you should stay with me.' I made no further r

to the country with her. Mr. Gallilee, who is always good to me, thought so too, and promised me some sailing at the sea-side.

old nurse, there is no need to be anxious. At the worst of my little troubles, I have only to thin

ng husband. May I ask one little favour? The English gentleman who has taken our old house at Rome, will

TER

ter of introduction which he had once been tempted to destroy. In the consequences that followed the presentation-appare

er was thus

f such a person exists, and if adverse circumstances compel him to travel, I should like to ask a question. Is h

e. Let me give

f in his leisure hours by playing on that big and dreary member of the family of fiddles, whose name is Violoncello. Assisted by friends, he hospitably cools his guests, in

y I can see your eyes brighten; I fan

nd of mine. He will be only too glad to place a box at your disposal, on any night when his programme attracts your notice; I have already made amends for my forgetfulness, by writing to him by this mail. Miss Minerva will

beautiful you are to me? how entirely worthless my life is without you? I dare say I did; but

nd you are to have your own way before we are married, as well as after. My sweet Carmina, your willing slave has something more serious than commo

y; but I am vain enough to think that my part in it will interest you. I have been a vain man, since that

d as a new friend of mine, in Canada. I became acquainted with

ep Benjulia in the dark. I sincerely hope you will not see him. He is a hard-hearted man-and he might say something w

ng infant Canadians into the world. His services happened to be specially in request, at the time when I made his acquaintance. He was calle

ld you like to read the letter, too? Here is a copy:-'The man who brings this is an overworked surgeon, named Ovid Vere. He wants rest and good air. Don't encourage him to use his brains; and give him i

, ten minutes after he had left the house. This time the patient was

id, 'death is a mercy. What I cannot bear to think of is the poor man's lonely p

of poverty and suffering, and so vividly reminded me of a similar case in my own experience, tha

him, on a mattress on the floor. What his malady was, you will not ask to know. I will only say that any man but a doctor would have run out of the room, the

isit he was a

given her, under circumstances which degraded him in his own estimation, and in the estimation of his best friends. On the last occasion when she left him, he had followed her to Montreal. In a fit of drunken frenzy, she had freed him from her at last by self-destruction. Her death affected his reason. When he was discharged from the asylum, he spent his last miserable savings

ter hearing this miserable story, my heart overfl

me grave with the woman who had dishonoured him. Who am I that I should jud

ll something

ne thing that he possessed. He had no money left, and no clothes. In a corner of the

ne return,' he said;

am ashamed to say I set no sort of value on the manuscript presented to me-except as a memorial of a sad in

g circumstances) would, I don't hesitate to say, have ranked him among the greatest physicians of our time. The language in which he writes is obscure, and sometimes grammatic

if she was a medical colleague! We understand each other, Carmina, don't we? My future career is an object of interest to

other occasions, particularly when I happen to over-exert myself in walking or riding, which warn me to be careful and patient. My next journey will take me inland, to the mighty plains a

ientific people at close quarters, and let me give you a useful hint. When you meet in society with a particularly

troubled by misgivings. There is another odd circumstance, connected with our correspondence, which sets me wondering. I always send messages

if she could see the blots and the spelling. Zo's account of the family circle (turned into intelligible English), will I think personally interest you. Here it is, in

d love me as I love you. There is a world of meaning, Carmina, even in those commonplac

TER

om writing to him of his mother. Her true position in Mrs. Gallilee's house-growing, day by day, harder and harder to endure; threatening, more

inhuman manner in which I

approached, I became so wretched that I ran the risk of another harsh reception, by intruding on her once more. It was a circumstance in my favour that she was, to all appearance, in bad spirits

rightened and upset-and I am always stupid in that condition. My attempt at reconciliation may have been clumsy enough; but she might surely ha

een or heard of before! 'You are little better than a child,' she said; 'I have ten times your strength of will-what is there in you that I can't resist? Go away from me!

a baby that sees something new! I can't frighten her. I can't disgust her. What does it mean?' She dropped into a chair; her voice sank almost to a wh

ant. I took a chair, and sat down by her. 'I only

did I

me you were

ve said to you to-day. In your own in

' I said. 'You were miserable yesterday, and

ead, I don't know. It doesn't matter;

Come! tell me what it is.' I waited; but it was of no use-she never even looked at me. Because I am in love myself, do

she threw it on the floor. Still, not a word passed her lips. I f

u not so fortunate?' A dreadful expression of pain passed over her face. How could I see it, and not fee

able. I think she looked at herself in the glass. 'W

red-'except that I hope

pproached it, and took up the candle again.

ho he is,

I do that?

e incomprehensible to myself, I seemed to have relieved h

give my insolence yesterday; I was mad with envy of your happy marriage engagement. You don'

how I might have behaved, of the wild things I might have said, if Ovid had cared nothing for me. Had some cruel man forsaken her? That was h

' I said, 'before we wish each other goo

peared to have some suspicion of it. 'W

ho is a stra

ther, and baptised me. We all of us used to consult Father Patrizio, when we wanted advice. My nurse Teresa felt anxious about me in Ovid's absence; she spoke to him about my marriage engagemen

thing yet to say, but not knowing how to e

to read the letter?

s something in i

ull stop. She was as patient as ever; sh

t you in a better frame of mind,' I said; '

s of the good Father, among my other treasures. I copy his letter for you in this place-so that you

lso useful to you. I will put what I have to say, in the plainest and fewest words: consider them carefully, on your side. The growth of the better nature, in women, is perfected by one influence-and that influence is Love. Are you surprised that a priest should write in this way? Did you expect me to say, Religion? Love, my sister, is Religion, in women. It opens their hearts to all that is good for them; and it acts indepe

erva turned back, and read it again-and waited

ncourage yo

to me. 'I have got one sente

saw the change in her for the better-I was so inexpressibly happy in the conviction tha

ne something to deserve it. You are more in need of help than you think.

e spoke. I refrained from interrupting her thoughts. The night was still and dark. Not a sound reached our ears from without. In the house, th

amed. My aunt walked straight up to me, without taking the smallest notice of Mis

ch contempt-that I looked at her in astonishment. Some suspicion s

alled out sternly. 'Do

burning in my face. 'Am I a child, or a servant?' I

han you! I tried vainly to speak-I saw Miss Minerva rise to interfere-I heard her say, 'Mrs. Gallilee, you forget yourself!' Somehow, I got out of the room. On the landing, a dreadful fit of t

d you tell me just now th

, 'Certainly, madam. Y

er that, they grew louder; and

r to me, Miss Minerva. It has latte

espect, Mrs

y of speaking to me implie

know in what other way I am not your equal. Did you assert your superiori

o you wish to rem

m quite indifferent in the matter. I am equally re

g the door. 'I think we arranged,' she said, 'that there was to

my sugg

nth's notice,

from to

cou

. My head turned giddy. She must have seen that I was quite prostrate-and yet she too

e that the poo

oped; I felt her strong sinewy arms round me; she lifted me gently. 'I'll take care of yo

ul night brings it all back again. Don't be anxious

TER

her to complete her unfinished letter, without taking the rest that she needed. Once more-an

ht passed! Miss Minerva was the first

r governess of the morning's lessons. 'Mrs. Gallilee has sent her,' Miss Miner

d was, as we had both antici

And-can you believe it?-she implored me not to mention 'the little misunderstanding between us when I next wrote to her son!' Is this woman made of iron and stone, instead of flesh and blood? Does she rea

e for me. The familiar voice of good Mr. Galli

e resemblance. 'I've taken the liberty, Carmina, of sending for our doctor. You're a delicate plant, my dear-' (Here, his face disappeared and he spoke to somebody outside)-'You think so yourself, don't you, Mr. Null? And you have a family of daughters, haven't you?' (His face appeared again; mo

a spotless white cravat. He stared hard at me; he produced a little glass-tube; he gave it a shake, and put it under my arm; he took it away again, and consulted i

efore he followed the doctor out. Ill and wretched as I was, this little interruption amused me. I wond

promised. 'It is well,' she said gravel

e doctor thoug

t your slightest wishes are to be humoured. If he had not said that, Mrs. Gallilee would have prevented me from

had something important to tell me. When I asked what it was, she shook her head,

ended the music-master, she would have used Mr. Le Frank as a means of making Ovid jealous, and of sowing the seeds of dissension between us. Having failed so far, she is (as Miss Minerva think

by this wicked plotting and contriving, with i

money. There is the secret of the hard bargains she drives, and the mercenary opinions she holds. I don't doubt that her income would be enough for most other women in her position. It is not enoug

for not admiring her scientific friends. With one or two exceptions, they talked

profusion of splendid flowers, in the hall and on

Ye

e costs, and the carriages and horses, when I tell you that the rent of the stables alone is over a hundred pounds a year. Lady Northlake has a superb place in Scotland. Mrs. Gallilee is not able to rival her sister in that respect-but she has her marine villa in the Isle of Wight. When Mr. Gallilee said you should have some sailing this autumn, did you think he meant that he would hire a boat? He referred to the yacht, which is part of the establishment at the sea-side. Lady Northlake goes yachting with her husband; a

rying me. Miss Minerva's only answer to this was to tell me to write to Mr. Mool, while I had the chance, and ask for a copy of my father's Will. 'I will take the letter to him,' she said, 'and

and Zo for their walk; and Miss Minerva had left the house by herself-sendin

ilee see you co

watching for

you go upstai

Ye

said n

oth

me doubt of how the day would end. Miss Minerva poi

esidence, in case I wished to consult him personally later in the day, he mentioned some proceeding, called 'proving the W

itions, the absence of stops, utterly bewildered me. I handed the copy to Miss Minerva. Instead of beginning on the first page, as I had done, she turned to the last. With what breathless i

red some dreadful unknown power given to Mrs. Gallil

er intensely cold and selfish nature, there is no fear of her attempting to reach her ends by

turally thought of Ovid. I asked if th

person concerned,' she answered sharply. 'It is Mrs. Gallilee's interest that you shall never be he

began to feel like myself again. I sa

she said, 'her husband will, in all probability, have to repay the loan. And, if borrowings go on in that way, Maria and Zoe will be left wretchedly provided for, in comparison with Lady Northlake's daughters. A fine large fortune wou

ad thanked Miss Minerva, turned away my

ssed me. 'There is the kiss that you meant to give me last night,' she said. 'Don't despair of yourself. I am to be in the

eant, in other words, thinking of what had happened. If you had come into my room, I should have told you all about it.

lilee's cruelty has at last prove

to-morrow is the same as my mind to-night, I shall attempt

I should not know where to find him, when I arrived; and what a dreadful meeting-if I did find him-to be obliged to acknowledge that it is his mother who has driven m

I was awakened by the striking of a match in my room. I looked round, expe

ich Mr. Null had ordered for me. I took i

are friends again now. You

that she had seen Miss Minerva go up to my room. The idea that she meant to be revenged on us bot

eling better

Ye

ything I can

ow-than

see Mr. Null again

h,

an effort to speak to her at all. She showed no sign

ne, I am not perhaps a sympathetic companion for a young girl. But I hope y

don't know. I began to feel an oppression in my breathing that almost choked me. There are two

as I could-and then I begged her not to trouble herself any lon

ave her notice, last night, to leave her situation. For your sake,

inerva spoken of in this way. I said at once that I c

! This person has insinuated herself into your

ilence? 'Mrs. Gallilee!' I said, 'you are cru

aves me no alternative but to speak out. If I had done my duty, I ought to have said long since, what I am going to say now. You

d you will know what I felt on hearing her spoken of as 'a rival.' My sense of justice refused to believ

ee went on,

as discovered her but me. Charge her with it, if you like; and let he

she was even with me, and with the w

'and think over what I have told you. I

left

nking under the shock? Ovid-thousands a

d betrayed Miss Minerva to him, as she has betrayed her to me, that unhappy woman would have had his truest pity. I am as c

lous, I addressed her with my former familiarity by her christian name:-"'Last night, Frances, I ventured to ask if you loved some one who

g to receive Mis

will not, see Mrs. Gallilee again. All her former cruelties are, as I feel it, nothin

y? or is she hesitating how to answer me-personally or by writing? N

maid has just asked me to open the

lee has spok

secret is more than I can tell I will not own it to her or to any livin

t, which must have perplexed you, will explain themselves flow. There has been, how

ousy would have degraded me into becoming her accomplice. As things were, I

could summon composure enough to write about them. Better to say at

st spoke in his letter-has opened my heart to tenderness and penitence of which I never believed myself capable: has brought the burning tears into my eyes which make it a hard task to write to you. All this I know, and yet I d

ness of that love which I have acknowledged. I know that he

parents, like you; I have not been used at home to the kindness and the love that you remember. A life without sweetness and joy has well fitted me for a loveless future. And, besides, you are wo

Perhaps, you shrink from remaining in the same house with me? Let

that this poor wounded heart has surely some claim on m

ER XX

r old nurse were completed on the sevente

memorable to Mrs. Gallilee. Doctor Benjulia had his

, and not to return until the bell rang. On ordinary occasions, Mrs. Gallilee was up in time to receive the letters arriving by the first delivery; the correspondence of the other members of the household being sorted by her own hands, before it was di

ters this morn

or my m

re tha

m-except a telegram

did it

ter the

given it

I thought I ought to take

ight. Yo

ests involved too important to wait for the ordinary means of communication by post? Consi

r present frame of mind. The writer was Benjulia. He d

nderstand. I want to ask you about it-but I can't spare the time to go a-visiting. So much the better for me-I hate conversation, and I like work.

istic proposal later in the day. Her first and fore

the notice of Mrs. Gallilee. Her attention had been at once attracted by a travelling bag, opened as if in preparation for packing. The telegram lay on Carmina's lap. The significant connect

maid taken care of her at breakfast-time? Was there anything that her aunt could do for her? Carmina replied with a reluctance which she was

news,

age had produced, made concealment superfluous. Mrs. Gallilee opened the telegram, keeping her suspicions i

morning. Expect me in

coming to London?" M

uestion, Carmina answered sharply, "Her n

Gallilee. "Perhaps

us together. Now she has lost her husband, do you think she can

notice," Mrs. Gallilee rejoined. "It's an expensive

n in a manufactory till

ded, "the money failed him, of c

ts' co

lucrative business, I should think. H

rse is

dear in this neighbourhood. However-with your assistance

n this way, Mrs. Gallilee returned to the prime object o

She had assumed that her nurse would become a member of the household again, as a matter of course. With Teresa to encourage her, she had summoned the resolution to live with Ovid's mother, until Ovid came

gh, at your age) our relative positions in this house. My child, the authority of your late father is the authority which your guardian holds over you. I hope never to be obliged to exercise it-especially, if you will be good

ed to the door. After opening it, she

what I told you, la

's energies rallied at this. "I have d

Minerva's

no notice of

"Have you had any communi

Gallilee stepped out on the landing, and called to Mis

own here," sai

lost something of their piercing brightness. She stopped outsid

one quick glance at Carmina, and lowered her eyes before the look could be returned. Mrs. Gal

e already this mor

N

oolness between

am, that I

speak to her when you

ee her resting on the sofa-and

y saying go

even

dingly careful

have learnt to be careful. May I ask if you have

put her niece and her go

children's lesson for an

. Shall I

l tell the

sh me to do?" s

remain here w

overness, she would have seen Carmina-distrustful of her own self-control-move on the sofa so as to tu

in a whisper. "Let me say

he landing outside. Carmina tu

t right she should be left alone. My household duties must be attended to. Will you take my place at th

ina. She heard nothing: although the half-closed door gave her opportuniti

the one to the other. The woman suffered her torture in secret. The girl's sweet eyes filled slowly with tears. One by one the minutes of the mo

TER

r the day. "If there is anything forgotten," she said, "I must lea

ediate acknowledgment. She was not as ready for her duties as usual. For

. By means of the music-master, she had planned to give Ovid jealous reasons for doubting Carmina-and she had failed. By means of the governess, she had planned to give Carmina jealous reasons for doubt

herself to the intellectual level of the most ignorant servant in the house. The modern Muse of Science unconsciously opened her min

her letters waiting on the table.

s departure. Speaking of Carmina, he had referred to one person whom he did not wish her to see in his absence; and that person, he had himself admitted to be Benjulia.

h

her to the one nor to the other of these two classes. Girls were objects of absolute indifference to him-with the one exception of Zo, aged ten. Never yet, after meeting him in society

for Mrs. Gallilee. Without stopping to pursue the idea, she rang the bel

possessed, before the day was out, of a means of action capable of being used against Car

sister in Scotland. Among other

r such a companion; and both my sons are ready to envy Ovid the moment they see her. Tell my nephew, when you

olutely prevented from taking a foremost place in her niece's heart, and encouraging the idea of her niece's marriage. Mrs. Gallilee felt almos

ed her of the family mi

. Miss Minerva, again, was a new obstacle in the way. To take her to the Isle of Wight was not to be thought of for a moment. To dismiss her at once, by paying the month's salary, might be the preferable course to pursue-but for two objections. In the first place (if the friendly understanding between them really continued) Carmina might communicate with

ust as she had taken up her pen, the sanctuary of th

e housekeeper tell you tha

pardon, ma'a

s your ma

to see yo

domestic history of the house. In sheer astonishment, Mrs

those days, the educational system seized a cane, or a birch-rod, and gave it to him. Mr. Gallilee entered his wife's room, with the feelings which had once animated him, on entering t

. Gallilee, "wh

d. How well you're

s. Gallilee looked, and knew that she looked, ugly and old. And her w

a respectful distance from his wife), he looked all round the room with the air of a visitor who had never seen it before. "

to the point,

-with pleasure. I'm afr

care if

r, it was one of the most remarkable cigars I ever smoked." Mrs. Gallilee laid down her pen, and eyed him with an annihilating frown. In the extremity of his confusion Mr. Gallilee ventured nearer. He felt the

ng her with conjugal endearments? At that early hour of the day, had his guilty lips tasted his favourite ch

Galli

my d

t d

lilee s

been to

ilee got

t d

dear, that I'll show you over the club with t

say what you have to say, or-" she lifted her hand, and let it down on the writin

it back in a hurry. He tried again, and produced a letter. He looked piteously round the room, in sore need of some

Gallilee asked sharply. "One of

ation. "Wonderful woman!" he said. "N

n. Mrs. Gallilee snatched it out of his hand. Mr. Gallilee went sof

house (!). It was impossible for him (he submitted with the greatest respect) to accept a payment, which did not amount to one-third of the sum owing to him for more than a twelvemonth. "Wretch!" cried Mrs. Gallilee

ue-book, his fat cheeks quivering with excitement. "You mustn't do it," he said, with a first

d towards the door; drops of perspiration oozed out on his forehead. He laid t

reditors far more formidable than the grocer and the butcher. An official let

by column she revised her figures-and made the humiliating discovery of her first mistake. She had drawn out all, and

the wilds of Canada, Mrs. Gallilee would have made her confession to him without hesit

he might abdicate his authority to his heart's content. Out of the house, in matters of business, he was master still. His "investment

cuniary anxieties at rest for the time. Th

lief. Hearing that Mr. Gallilee was still at home, she looked in at the smoking-room. Unerring instinct told her where to find her husband, under present circumstances. There he was, enjoying his cigar

health (from Paris), modified by a sprinkling of pallor (from London). Benjulia's humo

TER

have met with such a perfectly unselfish man-and I say this, speaking from experience of him. In my unavoidable absence, he volunteered to attend a serious case of illness, accompanied by shocking circumstances-and this at a time when, as you know, his own broken health forbids him to undertake any professional duty. While he could pres

bed as being "accompanied by shocking cir

ot having plainly stated what the patient's malady was, instead of wasting paper on smooth sentences, encumbered by long words. If Ovid had alluded to his Canadian patient in his

. Morphew's letter, and paused thoughtfully over one l

orrespondence with her son failed to enlighten him, here was another chance of making t

nger brother-dislike so inveterate that he even reco

r since. Accident (the result of his own absence of mind, while he was perplexed by an unsuccessful experiment) had placed Lemuel in

. Among his friends, he was the subject of a wide diversity of opinion. Some of them agreed with his brother in thinking him little better than a fool. Others suspected him of possessing natural abilities, but of being too lazy, perhaps too cunning, to exert them. In the office he allowed himself to be called "a mere machine"-and escaped the overwork which fell to the share of quicker men. When his wife and her relations declared him to be a mere animal, he never

g. Even when he had a favour to ask, he was u

the letter." So much he wrote, and no more. What was barely enough for

TER

the bell which announced the arrival of a visitor at the house. No matter what the circums

ted households, and it was in the last degree unlikely that Mrs. Gallilee could be the visitor. Getting within vie

ied the eld

red the younge

resemblance enough to suggest that they were relations. The younger brother was only a little over the ordinary height; he was rather fat than thin; he wore a moustache and whiskers; he dressed

do, Nathan

brings you here?

ss without notice. His mouth curled up

ished to see my

't you send

o take the opportuni

ly. "Try another excuse. Or do a ne

the room in which he had received Ovid. Lemuel follow

ay from your office

y at this time of year. Bu

low you to speak

ce, broth

w a fool to offend me. I put

e lane by which the house was approached. The sound

ing some return for his b

d it's lucky for you that I

hy

ke kindly to scientific gentlemen in your line of business." Lemuel paused, and pointe

ck, were on his hands now. With unruffled composure he looked

y hands," he answered, "when

his coat. "Now," he resumed, "if you have g

hich you had better not see. If you want the truth-that's the reason I br

page-and Lemuel pointed to the middle of it. "Read as far as that,"

rother,"-and with that the letter ended. In the first bitterness of his disappointment, Benjulia concei

to say to you that I m

ind in the letter," Lemuel rejoined. "Morphew

is in the easiest wa

tion?" Lemuel

His momentary interest in the suppressed passages was at an end.

letter away, and buttoned his coat, and tapped his pocket significantly. "You

ed by his profound conviction of his brother's stupidity, he now thought it possible that the concealed portions of the lette

t his hand. With over-acted reluctance, Lemuel unbuttoned his coat. The distant dog barked again as he gave the letter back. "Please excuse my dear old dog," he said with maudlin tenderness; "the poor dumb animal seems to know that I'm taking his side in the controversy. Bow-wow means, in his language, Fie upon the cr

ailed to fulfil Lemuel's expectations. The doctor's curi

ions, of the medical sort. Come to the light." He led Lemuel to the window-looked at him with the closest attention-and carefully consulted his

self-seriously thought-"Is this fellow's bra

iven his elder brother's rudeness yet-and he knew, by experience, the one weakness

s in the right place. I don't pretend to be clever-but I've got my feelings; and I could p

a-interested in developing th

uel-interested in developing th

me, L

ight,

their chairs; reduced for o

TER

is it to be? The favourite p

es

What can I

," said Lemuel

dy kn

, what ough

e, I su

, Nathan, and get

ed with exemp

n't be offended-will you? Should I be right, if

er in the laboratory. His dark complexion deepened in hue. His co

u to make your experime

urse i

orbid you to make your

question about the dog appeared, not only to have interested him, but to have taken him by surprise. His attention wandered away f

issect a living man, allows yo

itively no an

n animal? Could he, as a physiologi

t the lower order of savage, or the lower order of lunatic, compared with the dog, is the inferior creature i

and a dog is a creature without a soul? This would be simp

us presented itself, the conclusion tha

he Law has barred its right to place arbitrary limits on its own action. If it pro

muel, "am I to

ot a l

part of it which began on the second page. There he found the very questions with which

upposed your brain might be softening. Such as it is, I perceive that your memory is in working or

Lemuel watched him-still con

roceeded in

ublish my work, if I can satisfy him that i

eir cruelties. I want to expose those false pretences in the simplest and plainest way,

em on animals. The very poisons, the action of which dogs and cats have been needlessly tortur

me poison on a man. To quote two instances only which justify doubt-and to take birds this time, by way of a change-a pigeon will swallow opium enough to ki

ther pretence, of improving our practice o

the limb was removed, not a single vessel bled. Try the same operation on a ma

s not a cause of disease, but a consequence. However, let that be, and let us still stick to experience. Has this infernal cruelty produced results which help us to cure

nterests of humanity, and to show him in his true character,-as plainly as the scientific Foreign Savage shows himself of his own accor

nd threw the let

nt public opinion with the contempt that it deserves-and I am one of them." He pointed scornfully to the le

odd," sa

t's

on, why do you tell everybody that your horrid cutting and carving is harmless chemistry? And

anity! I am working for my own satisfaction-for my own pride-for my own unutterable pleasure in beating other men-for the fame that will keep my name living hundreds of years hence. Humanity! I say with my foreign brethren-Knowledge for its own sake, is the one god I worship. Knowledge is its own justification and its own reward. The roaring mob follows us with its cry of Cruelty. We pity their ignorance. Knowledge sanctifies cruelty. The old anatomist stole dead bodies for Knowledge. In that sacred cause, if I could steal a living man without being found out, I would tie him on my table, and grasp my grand discovery in days, instead of months. Where are you going? What? You're afraid to be in the same room with me? A man who can talk as I do, is a man who would stick at nothing? Is that the light in which you lower order of creatures look at us? Look a little higher-and you will see that a man who talks as I do i

vid; his gigantic frame shuddered; his breath came and went i

n spirit of mischief in him had not bargained for this. "I begin to b

e lane. A footman opened the gate of the enclosure.

" he said. "You're in a nice state to see her! Pull yo

a's arm, and le

He bowed profoundly, in homage to the well-preserved remains of a fine woman. "

ly set him down at his true value. She got rid of him with her best

ger the hint might have been thro

ER XX

rs on the table-a present from a grateful client. As a man, he enjoyed the lovely colours of the nosegay. As a botanist, he lamented the act which had cut t

to the room, with a vi

," said Mr. Mool. "The pe

on the table. The pe

nt by letter! Mr. Mool trembled under the apprehension of some serious family emergency, in

his hand with her friendliest warmth; admired the nosegay with her readiest enthusiasm. "Quite perfect," she said-"especially the Pa

ion, he would have called it, in the case of one of his own flowers),

nnounced. "No-to shock you. No-even that is n

trong emotions to which she had alluded. "How am I to put it?" she went on, with a transparent affectation of embarrassment. "Shall I call it a disgrace to our family?" Mr. Moo

allilee. Not a very sociable pe

casions. But that doesn't matter now.

e "disgrace to the family?" Mr.

is not related to

young man-I am returning to my train of circumstances, Mr. Mool-he was at Rome, pursuing his professional studies. I have all this, mind, straight from the doctor himself. At Rome, he b

Mrs. Ga

. M

ur pardon

istible man) was possessed of abilities which even attracted our unsociable Benjulia. They became friends. At the time of which I am now

ce, Mrs.

N

iss Ca

ur mind back to what I have just said. I mentioned a medical stude

sed themselves, if he had not been a lawyer. As it was, his profess

The law, Mr. Mool! what does the law say?" she broke out. "Is my brother's Will no bette

ce wanted purifying? or was he conscious that his face might betray him unless he hid it? Mrs. Ga

nature; I know what I felt myself when this dreadful discovery burst upon me. If you r

Mool could endure. Shy men are, in the innermost depths of their nature, proud men: the lawyer had his professional pride. He

the legal aspect of

. Gallilee interposed, i

correction. He actually took no notice of it now! "There is one

go into any details, no matte

requested to leave the Court, at unmentionable Trials, persist in keeping their places. It was a r

that you believe what you

assu

only person who has spok

nly pe

from his friend-the fellow-stud

d viciously, "the father of the wretche

regard for Carmina, his respect for the memory of her mother, had been wounded to the quick. S

some reason for believing

man was poor. He showed Doctor Benjulia money received fr

, Mrs. Gallilee. Had the man

It's notorious, Mr. Mool, that Italian

there are any

had proo

le respect, ma'a

s. Gallilee had been contradicted by her obedient humble servant of o

he woman's innocence," she said, "with

om bad to worse: he

s spent in Italy. I was in Rome, like Doctor Benjulia, after your brother's marriage. His wife was, to my

brother was a poor weak creature-and his wif

since she died. More years have passed since this attack on her character reached Doctor Benjulia's knowledge. He is

he doctor to speak of my brother and his wife. The subject was too distast

octor Benjulia appears to have been qui

. Perhaps, you will not allow that spe

llowance. At the same time, he waited

in a passion; I have made a fool of myself; I haven't a nerve in my body that isn't quivering with rage. Go! go! go!" There was his explanation. Impenetrably obstinate, Mrs. Galilee faced him-standing between the doctor and the door-without shrinking. She had not driven all the way to Benjulia's house to be sent back again without gaining her object: she had her questions to put to him, and she persisted in pressing them as only a woman can. He was left-with the education of a gentleman against him-between the two vulgar alternatives of turning her out by main forc

in vain. He reminded his cli

ircumstances. May I know

rose, before

. Mool, to ask you a question about the law. Permit me to remind you that I have not had my answer yet. My own impression is that the girl no

one word, Mrs. G

ha

phing in the reply that he had just made. "It's the

children, born in wedlock, are the husband's children. Even if Miss Carmina's mo

lly mean to say that this girl's

cted, ma'am, by all t

bliged to keep he

office of guardian, in favour of Lady No

you any further,

e office. Mr. Mool act

more, Mrs.

e said enou

limax. He put his hand on the lock o

the a word of this to the pretty gentle, young lady? Even if

ening, M

me. Instead of putting on his hat, he went back to his writing-table. His thoughts projected themselves into the future-and discovered possibilities from which they recoiled. He took up his pen, and began a letter. "To John Gallilee, Esquire: Dear Sir,-Circumstances have occurred, which I am not at liberty to menti

ed that he had a poor appetite for his dinner.

TER

ter with me. Sometimes I thin

nd this was Carmina's answer, when the governess entered her roo

ing medicine?" Mis

akes me cry; and I put off doing what I ought to do, and want to do, without knowing why. You remember what I told you about Teresa? She may be with us

," Miss Miner

rightened. "That's k

after dinner to-day. Looking over lodgin

haven't you brou

r. About the lodging? A sitting-room and bedroom will be enough, I sup

airy rooms-and a kind landlady. Teresa

ow you to pay

come. She told me so herself, and wondered, poor dear, how she was to spend it all. She mustn't be allowed to spend it all. We will tell her that the

the persons of whom she was speaking. Mrs. G

, when the servant had withd

, Frances, that shudders

stop

d. By unexpressed consent, on either side, they still preserved their former relations as if Mrs. Gallilee had not spoken. Mi

aiting for her. He opened the library do

to Mr. Null about yo

Gallilee had left the house on her visit to Benjulia. The girl was instantly conscious of a change-to be felt rather than to be reali

y day, while the fine weather lasts. I have ordered the open carriage to be ready, after luncheon. Other engagements will prevent me from accompanyi

ng-tha

u wish for

, n

plaint to make o

s are always

y longer-I have a person

nt had strengthened with every word that Mrs. Gallilee had said to her. She had heard of reformatory institutions, and of discreet persons called matrons who ma

g time got possession of her. An ugly model of the Colosseum, in cork, stood on the hall table. Sh

found herself face to face with Mr. Le Frank, leaving the schoolroom after his music lesson. At that sudden discovery, a cry of alarm escaped her-the

ately overheard, the poor girl made an effort to conciliate him. "I have very few friends, Mr. Le Frank," sh

is most resonant and mellifluous tones, he said, "You do me honour-" and t

m produced. He might have detected the outward signs of the struggle, but for an interruption which preserved her from d

wn imprudence. In her first confusion and dismay, but one clear id

master with the nearest approach to an indulgent

Le Frank. You are not af

ves of music which he had brought downstairs. "With re

first. How came you to frighten my niece? I heard something like a scream, and naturally looke

ad him under her thumb. He was not released, until he had literally reported Carmina's opinion of him as a man and a musician, and had exactly described the circumstanc

tration discovered the vindictive feeling towards Carmina, which offered him, in case of necessity, as an instrum

Allow me to apologise for having ignorantly placed you in a false positio

ll. His cold blood began to simmer, heated by

va, however, has no excuse for keeping me in the dark. Her conduct, in this matter, offers, I regret to say, one more instance of her habitual neglect of the duties which attach to her position in my house. There seems to

honour of an interview," he explained, "to make a request." He took up his leaves of m

ee exclaimed with a

the compliment. He

t the honour?" With this graci

ered by Science to Art? Mr. Le Frank was incapable of placing an unfavourable interpretation on any position which a woman-and such a woman-could assume in hi

ch I subscribe," cried his munificent pat

llilee refused to hear him. He took his leave; he got as far as the hall; a

ase shut the door for a moment. About that meeting betwe

Frank waited with b

n that apology of hers?" Mrs. Gallilee proceede

instantly aroused. "Not the least i

uzzled as you are," M

ty. "After my refusal to teach her," he suggested, "that proposal to shake hands may hav

help him. "Perhaps, time will show," she answered discreetly.

TER

me refuge to Carmina, in her present stat

heir midday toilet before dinner. Carmina described her interview with Mrs. Gallilee, and

which troubles me now. I don't like his going to Mrs. Gallilee afterwards-especially when you tell me of that change in

ectly

do?" she asked. "Mrs. Gallilee generally looks in for a few minutes, while the children are

pa thinks Mr. Null a remarkably clever man." Zo stood by frowning, while these smooth conventionalities trickled over her sister's lips. Carmina asked what was the matter. Zo looked gloomily at the dog on the rug. "I wish I was Tinker," she said. Maria smiled sweetly. "Dear Zoe, what a very strange wish! What would you do, if yo

e looked at Carmina as she might have looked at an obtrusive person who had stepped in from the street. "You had better dress before luncheon," she suggested, "or you will keep the carriage waiting." Hearing this, Zo laid down her knife and fork, and looked over her shoulder. "Ask if I may go with y

she was a Jersey woman. It is not easy to say which of the two f

"If the young lady changes the route which the coachman has my orders to take, or if she communicates with any person while your are out, you are to report it to me." Mrs. Gallilee had not for

in one respect at least

e temperament, might feel the calamity that had fallen on her so acutely as to condemn herself to a single life. Misled, partly by the hope of relief from her own vile anxieties; partly by the heartle

main in the house, submitted to her guardian's authority, watched by her guardian's vigilance. The hateful creature was still entitled to medical attendance when she was ill, and must still

and interesting, with the last new poem on her lap-Mrs. Gallilee's reflections took their own bitter course. "Accidents happen to other carriages, with other

carriage appeared again-and (to complete the d

from her walk with the children, the rooms had been taken. Ter

r rooms were ready, adding the address and the landlady's name. Guessing in the dark, Carmina and the governess had ignorantly attributed the sinister alteration in Mrs. Gallilee's manner to the pros

TER

for the worse the next day. Incessant rain made i

rainy afternoon, Mr. Gallilee asserted himself as

Gallilee proceeded in a hurry. "There's an afternoon performance of conjuring tricks; and, do you know, I really think I might take Carmina to see it. We shall be delighted if you will accompany us, my dear; and they do say-perhaps you have heard of it yourself?-that there's a good deal of science i

e, when the music-master arrive

owing to you. Do you like conjuring, Mr. Le Frank? Don't tell the children where we are going! They would be disappointed, poor things-but they must have their lesson

but the motive power to develop into absolute wickedness. Vanity can be savagely suspicious and diabolically cruel. What are

it was possible to attribute to a girl of her age, no matter how monstrously improbable it might be, occurred to him when he recalled her words, her look, and her manner at their meeting on the stairs. His paltry little mind, at other times preoccupied in contemplating himself and his abilities, was now so completely absorbed in imagining every variety of conspiracy against hi

e found the door of Carm

was engaged in scientific research. At that hour of the afternoon, there were no duties which ca

wrote and received letters. If he could only find her desk unlocked and

pursued in these two repositories. He opened the books that she had left on the table, and shook them. No forgotten letter, no private memorandum (used as marks) dropped out. He looked all round him; he peeped into

ought, "unless you had some shameful secrets to keep! I shall have other opportunities; and she may n

of Mr. Le Frank's suspicion remained in the house-an

Poor Mr. Gallilee retired in disgrace to the shelter of his club. At dinner, even his perfect temper failed him for the moment. He found fault with the champagne-and then apologised to the waiter. "I'm sorry I

my day. The post had brought her a letter from Ovid-enclosing a photog

seemed to be giving him back the vital energy that he had lost in his London life. He slept on the ground, in the open air, more soundly than he had ever slept in a bed. But one anxiety troubled his mind. In the roving life

ve ended, my darling, in a journey for one of my guides-an Indian, whose fidelity

and, after due consultation with the crew, we have arranged a date and a place at which my messenger will find me on his return. Shall I confess my own amiable weakness? or do you know me well enough a

ghtest view of our present lives, and of our lives to come. I feel tempted to go back, for the same reason that makes me anxious for letters. I want to hear fro

tion, and (with God's blessing) of securing to myself reserves of health and strength which will take us together happily on the way to old

his letter as soon

made her so happy that she felt the impulse to write to him at once, as she might have felt the impulse to answer him at once if he had been present

a certain wisdom in the lo

rom which he had anticipated such speedy results, by writing another prescription. He had also added a glass to the daily allowance of wine, which he had thought sufficient th

; the portrait was the best of all companions. Outside, the heavy rain pattered; in the room, the busy clock

rbed her. Zo peeped in. Her face was red, her hair was tousle

e announced; "and s

this second angry person might be. "Oh, you know!" Zo answ

ustn't talk

run away." Carmina assumed an air of severity, and entered a serious protest adapted to her young friend's intelligence. She mi

resumed-"you

boy,

urdy. He's got a monkey. He grins. He says, A

d a hearing. "I haven't done yet!" she burst out. "The boy dances. Like this." She cocked her head, and slap

armina." The door opened again while the perform

d was held angrily erect, "Carmina!" she said sharply, "you shouldn't encourage that child." She turned round, in search of the truant pupil. Incurably stupid

n worn out with fatigue. Carmina spoke to her gently. Words

l times-that's what is the matter with me." She looked at Carmina. "You seem to be wonderfully better to-day. Has stupid Mr.

photograph was still in her hand; but her inbr

when she heard Ovid's name. That slight movement over, she stirred no more. After waiting a little, Carmina ventured to speak. "Fr

back?" she asked. I

eplied, "Not yet-

sorr

you, Frances

elf-not of you." She suddenly lowered her ton

iss Minerva was the

erstand me?

elp me to understan

my restless spirit might be at p

wn the room. The passionate emotion which she had r

cold-blooded insolence roused you. Do you know what I would do, if I were in your place? I wouldn't wait tamely till he came back to me-I would go to

though

-mocking tone in which she spoke, suddenly failed her. Her piercing eyes grew dim; the hard lines in her face softened. She dropped

d itself. She pushed Carmina back on the sofa. "Don't look at

?" She found the bottle before Carmina could help her, and soaked her handkerchief in the lavender water, and tied it round her head. "Yes," she went on, as if they had been gossiping on the most commonplace subjects, "I think you're right

rned to

d already-don't trust me. I mean it, Carmina! Your generous nature shall not mislead you, if I can help it. When you are a happy married woman-when he is farther removed from me than he is even now-remember your ugly, ill-tempered friend, and let me come to you. Enough of this! I have other misgivings that are waiting to be co

es

ut res

without

don't you think the consequences may be serious? and your position between them som

ble to speak. Miss Minerva gave her time to r

l to propose. Your friend Teresa has energies-wild energies. Make a good use

Fra

etter on the desk. "Does he t

toring his health-he is going farther and fart

ssing each other on the voyage. Go

d fright

t y

n I say

mes back to marry you? I tell you again I am not talking at random. I have thought it all out: I know how you can make your esc

below?" She snatched up a bottle of Mr. Null's medicine-as a reason for being in the room. The sound of the rustling dress came nearer and nearer.

her medicine," she said. "Your bu

usual position, over the fireplace; the other opposite, on the wall behind the sofa. Turning back, before she left

le, and her appropriate speech. "Dear Miss Minerva, we were really almost getting alarmed about you

iss Minerva. "

e out as usual. "You look as i

ER XX

f rain, the weat

some degree the change for the better. When he rose that morning, Benjulia presented himself to his household in a character which they were little accustomed to see-the character of a good-hum

on which he could absolutely rely. He had advanced by one step nearer towards solving that occult problem in brain disease, which had thus far baffled the investigations of medical men through

there appeared no allusion in Ovid's correspondence to the mysterious case of illness which he had attended at Montreal. The one method now left, by which Benjulia could relieve the doubt tha

domestic duties claimed attention

her, for the first time since she had entered the house. A twinkling light showed itself furtively in his dreary gray eyes: he took a dusty old hand-screen from the sideboard, and made her a present of it! "There," he said with his dry humour, "don't spoil your complexion before the kitchen fire." The cook possessed a sanguine temperament, and a taste to be hono

fice, Benjulia left Ovid's let

even to guess what the subject under discussion between them might be. They were again together that morning. Maria and Zo had gone to church with their father; Miss Minerva was kept at home by a headache. At that hour, an

etters. After his latest experience of Mrs. Gallilee, he had no inte

eal. Was the complaint brain disease? Yes or no." Having made arrangements for the

e rang the bell. The man-servant appeared, without the dinner. Benjulia's aston

ree," he said, with terrifyin

l be ready in t

it not r

excuse her, sir. She is a

dered her, if

ugh the laboratory skylight. He had turned away a female servant at half an hour's notice, for forgetting to shut the door, a second time in one day. But what were these highhanded

ove to her?" the doctor su

into speech. "I'm incapable of the action, sir!" he a

ctory explanation. "Oh? reading a story? People who read stories ar

ks are excitable. They s

o now. Don't hurry

quarter of an hour then another five minutes. When the servant returned with the dinner, the master's private r

julia's domestic code of laws. All he said now was, "Take it away." He dined on potatoes, and bread and c

nd on her palpitating heart, and the ot

ble reception of a person who had kept the dinner waiting twenty minutes, and who had not done the mutton properly even then (taken in connection with the master's complimentary inquiries, reported downstairs by the footman), could bear but one interpreta

acidly with his eye on the cook. "I hear you have been

Virtue Rewa

, lifted her eyes experimentally. He was still looking at her. Did he wan

s on the book, sir.

ed, "Yes; I've heard of the name, and

story! My only excuse for b

s Pam

her! I felt quite broken-hearted when you sent the mutton down

cook, just as he pursued his own ends with a vivisected animal. Nothing moved hi

her at the end of t

virtuous young person, sir. And so the st

ewards

of the vigourous little woman began to show signs of tender agitation-distributed over a large surface. She rol

aster,

does h

to her lap. The cook's complex

r marries

O

felt her fondly founded hopes already sinking from under her. As it was, Richardson sustained her faith in herself; Richardson reminded her that Pamela's master had hesitated, and that Pamela's Virtue had not earned its reward on easy terms. She stole another look at the doctor. The eloquence of women's eyes, so widely and justly celebrated in poetry and prose, no

re, I think you told me

n orpha

time out of a situati

picture of the orphan's little savings-framed, as it were, in a delicately-designed refe

tuous," Ben

ent eyes said, "

hair nearer to her. Better and better! His arm was long enough, in

ising statements which pave the way for anything. He might say, "Having nothing particular to do to-day-why shouldn't we make love?" Or he might say, "Having nothing particular to do to-morro

re was unquestionably a sudden alteration in his lo

on her guard. He was now looking (experimentally) at the inferior creature seated before him in the

n the innocent, o

We will call the master by the first letter of the alphabet-

evenings of liberty, she sometimes gratified another highly creditable taste, besides the taste for reading novels. She was an eager play-goer. That notable figure in the drama-the man who tells his own story, under pretence

r troubles. For a long time, she was out of a situation; and she had no kind pa

took out her handkerchief, and

tor pro

him to engage a cook. He discovered an advertisement in a newspaper, which informed him that Miss B. was in search of a situation. Mr. A. found her

ger. She jumped out of her chair, and

th his story as if

B. a month's wages-and he turned her out of the house. You impudent hussy, you have dela

d to the table, and snatched up a knife. Benjulia wrenched it from her hand, and dropped back into his chair completely overpowered by the success of his little joke. He d

frozen by terror. There was something superhuman in the doctor's diabolical

from him, crept towards the door. As she approached the window, a man outside passed

njoy it with y

The man-servant appeared in the h

of the cook as she ran past him, making for the kitchen stairs. "I'm afraid I intrude o

absently, looking towards the hal

man entere

ve had the honour of meeting you

n't remember it my

est Mr. Mool took a seat in confusion. The d

ute," he said. "I wi

n stairs, and called to the hous

s,

is she

her he

of an excitable woman. Always a physiologist, even in those rare moments when he was amusing himself, it had just struck Benjulia that the cook-after her outbr

ER XX

e a drink. Old English

Mr. Mool was completely, and most agreeably, taken by surprise. He too was feeling the influence of

"and I have had a nice walk from my house to yours. If I have done wrong, sir, in vi

er, provided you don't interrupt me. Yo

thank

mind my

e it,

art, I'm sure. What did

oo

Was he a physiologist, and a rival? "

a la

y his despicable brother, Mrs. Gallilee would never have found her way into his confidence. But for his hearty enjoyment of the mystification of the cook, Mr. Mool would have been requested to state the ob

to people whom they don't know, without having their own inte

ct warned him to waste no

an, "in consequence of a statement recently

t old-?" He used a word, described in dictionaries as having a twofold meaning. (First, "A female of the canine

Doctor

t you positively mu

say that it may bear th

tatement in your office. Out with it, my g

nt myself at your house." With that necessary explanation, Mr. M

sir," Mr. Mool concluded, "you will not take a hard view of my motive. It is only the truth to say that I am interested in Miss Carmina's welfare. I felt the sincerest respect and affection for her parents

ching appeal found its way to him? He began very st

ged man," he said. "I suppose you

am a married man, sir

do you know how cleverly she can take advantage of her privileges to aggravate him, till there's nothing

, and comforted hi

This scandal began in the bragging of a fellow-student of mine at Rome. He was angry with me, and angry with another man, for laughing at him when he declared himself to be Mrs. Robert Graywell's lover: and he laid us a

nd?" Mr. Mool

wore a thick veil, and

e objection, Do

kable colour in those days-a sort of sea-green. And a bonnet to match, which everybody stared at, because it was not half the size of the big bon

e name of the man w

was Egisto

rd anything o

f them, in England; and got his living, like the rest of them, by teachin

got the pr

up, lo

his pocket-book. "There is nothi

thi

t thanks, doct

. Another drop of ale? Are you l

I find B

r play with

own to play with,

call her Zo. Put your finger on her spine-here, just below the neck. Press

te. A smartly-dressed woman, on the front seat, surveyed him with an uneasy look. "If you pleas

a, at his private residence, could have no ordinary motive. The fear instant

this alarm passed away. He heard Carmi

little word to

was shy and confused, but certai

for a drive," she said. "As the carriage passed

r! As many questio

he authority over me now, which my dear fat

te t

ng is she m

re twenty-on

a's face. "More than three years p

hat do you me

sk one thing more?" she resumed, in sinking tones. "Wou

with his eyes fixed on

any authority over you. These are rather strange ques

kissed it. "I must go!" she said. "I have

without once

TER

e carriage left Mr. Mool's house. "We shall be ne

the truth, if she questions you. I shall not t

place, Miss, than ge

she had been treated like a companion and a friend. But for that circumstance-so keenly had Marceline fe

his change in her spirits been caused by the visit to Mr. Mool? It was even so. The lawyer

guardian, had been declared by Mr. Mool to be incorrect, Carmina (ho

en Teresa arrived in London, to live in retirement with her old nurse. This change of abode would prevent any collisi

owards one another, instant flight to Ovid's love and protection seemed to be the one choice lef

or the flight were

ng at defiance. No pecuniary obstacle stood in the way. The first quarterly payment of Carmina's allowance of five hundred a year had been already made, by Mool's advice. Enough was left-even without the assistance which the nurse's resources would render-to pu

e's maid. No questions were put to her; no

ay afternoon, an event of the deepest scientific interest was to take place. A new Professor had undertaken to deliver himself, by means of a lecture, of sub

ssuming the existence of a continuous material medium in space. And this point of view being accepted-follow me here! wha

ly relieved by the prospec

with Thomson's theory? No? Let me put it briefly. Mere heterogeneity, together with gravitation, is sufficient to explain all the apparently discordant laws of molecul

ge back to the stables; the maid went downstairs to tea; and Carmina joined Miss Minerva in the schoolroom-al

news from Rome-serious news which c

er in Teresa's handwriting. She looked to the signature before she began to rea

husband having died without making a will. He hardly left anything in the way of money, after payment of his burial expenses, and his few little debts. What

urpose of travelling night and d

at leisure, in your beloved company. Strong as this good creature is, I believe she will be obliged to rest on the road for a night at least. Calc

and guardian. Who should you confide in-if not in the excellent woman who has filled the place of a mother to you? Besides, from your earliest year

the truest devotion; it is one of her defects, that she is fierce and obstinate in resentment. Your aunt has become an

us nature; restrain this fiery spirit. Your gentle influence, Carmina, has a power of its own over those who love you-and who loves you like Teresa

prospect of your marriage. If I may presume to judge from the little I know, your dearest earthly interests depend on the removal of obstacles t

R PATR

end when she read this letter. Good Father Patrizio, like good Mr. Mool

PTE

wed the priest's letter to Miss Minerva. The go

hing to say?"

ready. That letter says what I h

me to follow your

has don

y of my marriage. Teresa has evidently shown him my letters. Do you think he fears, a

y li

leaning back in her chair. Carmina asked

in teaching the children. I don't know which disgusts me mo

betraying the usual angry abruptness, her tones coldly indicated impenetrable contempt. In the

le and rude-and would be quite right, too. I haven't asked after you

I had such a delightful dream! I could alm

hanically-frowning, as if at some repellent thou

my mother," Ca

t have been, she was free from it now. There was some little life again in her eyes; so

. She said, 'My little angel, why are you here in a strange house? I have come to take you back to your own cot, by my bedside.' I wasn't surprised or frightened; I put my arms round her neck; and we floated away together through the cool starry night; and we were at home again. I saw my cot, with its pretty white curtai

od fo

what a dreadfu

than ever to find money enough to pay the household expenses. My father swore at my mother for being my mother. She reviled him just as bitterly in return; and vented the rest of her

others were with us-but the children all crowded round my mother. They would have her in all their games; they fought for places on her lap when she told them stories; some of them cried, and some of them screamed, when it was time to take them away from her. Oh, why do we live! why do we die! I have bitter thoughts sometimes, Frances

er lover's name became mingled with the remembrances of her childhood-the change came. Once more, the tell-tale lines began to harde

oughts, too eagerly bent on giving them e

to read some of them to you. I was reading one, last night-which perhaps accounts for my dream? It is on a subject that interests everybody. In my father's absence, a ve

elf?" Miss M

. I want yo

mina went on. "It's about wr

, of c

rply given. "Surely, I have no

me hear your mo

ou to hear the ci

entioned th

to whisper-for fear of somebody passing on the stairs. The more I think of it, the more I feel th

ind what

his inland journey, on the very day that I get there; he might even meet me in the street. In his delicate health-I daren't think of what the consequences of such a surprise might be! And then

are

esa and I are to travel, for fear of discovery), days and days before we could arrive. I should shut myself up in an hotel at Quebec; and Teresa could go ever

her chair, and po

nd rose in alarm. "Are

dy in my room. Don't keep me, my dear. M

ain mastered her again; a low cry broke from her when she closed the door. Carmina ran out: "Frances! what is it?" Franc

a step to follow

The effort wearied her. Her thoughts turned self-reproachfully to Ovid. If he had been speaking to a friend whose secret sorrow was known to him, would he have mentioned the name of the woman wh

. Gallilee sent word that t

is shoes for any sum of money you could offer me. Poor devil! I beg your pardon, my dear; let me give you a wing of the fowl. Boiled fowl-eh? and tongue-ha? Do you know the story of the foreigner? He dined out fifteen times with his English friends. And there was boiled fow

he carriage came to the door at the regular hour; and M

house, without seeing Miss Minerva f

re ready dressed for their walk. Industrious Maria had her book. Idle Zo, perched on a high chair, sat kicking her legs. "If yo

better,

etter,

ill. She tore up the letter which she had been writing

letter you've tor

Miss Minerva was not free from irritation, although she might

n the carriage," said Carmina. "T

othe my irritable nerves in

ow

girls. Take them out

her chair; and even Mari

pleasure. Must we ask

udy-and we are all forbidden to disturb her. I will take it on myself."

She pointed the emphasis on "I," by a side-look at her sister. Zo bounced out of the room, and performed the Italian boy's dance on the l

a friendly word, before

upstairs by yourself!" Miss Minerva answered sadly and kin

t quite at ease. "Yes-but y

hild! I am not

comfortable, Franc

dear-if y

eek and on the other. "Now l

na le

of the heartiest enjoyment. Maria herself condescended to smile, now and then. There was only one

rself received t

mina. "The person who is really responsible for what you have done, will misle

as far as her own room. There, her resolution failed her. She called faintly upstairs-"Frances!" There was no answering voice. She went into her room. A small paper pac

s were traced on

e best. Look back at my confession-and you will know why I have left you. You shall hear from me, when I am

Frances had tried to make her accept it as sec

ckedness in me, on which Mrs. Gallilee calculated, may be in me still." And

d her more faithfully th

TER

t of the schoolroo

erchief in her hand, and her everlasting book dropped unnoticed on the floor. Zo lay flat on her back, on the hearth-rug, hugging the dog in her arms. At intervals, she rolled

at last. "I wonder whe

likely," the parl

r go and see

ooked with languid curiosity at her sister. Zo still stared at the ceiling, and still rolled slowly from one side to

"like a person who had lost her way." Maria exhibited the feeling of the schoolroom, by raising her handkerchief in solemn silence to her eye

er messag

mess

e wished to see my mist

el

e minutes with my mistress she came out again, and rang the hall-bell, and spoke to Joseph. 'My boxes are packed and directed,' she says; 'I will

boxes been

, Mi

r head, and spoke

e they bee

at the back-to be ke

her ad

on

wearily to leave the room. Zo called to her from the hearth-rug. Alwa

to run away? And wasn't it because of Her? Hush! Here's the part of it I can't make out-She's run away from Me. I don't bear malice; I'm only glad in myself. No

-to reflect on what she had

unity of dismissing her governess at a moment's notice: Miss Minerv

Other moments followed, when she impulsively resented the act which had thrown her on her own resources, at the very time when she had most need of the encouragement that could be afforded by the sympathy of a firmer nature than her own. She began to doubt the steadiness of her resolution-without Frances to take leave of her, on the morni

e at once presented herself, harder and colder than ever, to inspect the invalid. Perceiving no im

surreptitious offering of wine (hidden under his coat)

's a sign from kind Providence that we are intended to eat and drink. The sherry's old, and the pastry melts in your mouth. Shall I stay with you? You wou

ood to profit by th

the bell; followed by another unexpected event. Mr. Gallilee paid her a second visit-in a state of transformation. His fat face was flushed: he positively looked as if he was capable of

Gallilee, when it's addressed to you. It was no mistake; he was so impudent as to say he had his orders. I have reproved Joseph." Mr. Gallilee looked astonished at

of good news!" she

's audacious breach of trust began to trouble him once more: this time in its relation to Mrs. Gallilee. The serious part of it was, that the man had acted

been despatched from Paris that eveni

s mail. Shall leave by the early train to-mo

of seeing the dear old friend of her happiest days. She laid her head on the pillo

ME T

TER

n Matter; the delightful Tuesday of Teresa's arriva

loved, trusted, and admired by her faithful friend. Helped by her steadier flow of spirits, Carmina could now see all that was worthiest of sympathy and admiration, all that claimed loving submission and allowance fro

e flower shop, and placed it herself under the co

any pages, and occupied th

er's care. Bound to speak at last in her own defence, she felt that concealments and compromises would be alike unworthy of Ovid and of herself. What she had already written to Teresa, she n

nd put it down again. How selfish, how cruel, to hinder your recovery by causing you sorrow and suspense to bring you back perhaps to England before your health was restored! I don

he luncheon up t

of the lecture and the discussion had been passed, Mrs. Gallilee threatened to take Miss Minerva's place herself, until a new governess could be found. For once, Maria

ng her luncheon. The profanation of music ceased, when sh

ers of the day, placed in the hall-basket. In the weakened state of her nerves, the effort that she had made

ing slowly to and fro. He turned towards her as she adv

ngry suspicion of her had been left to feed on itself. The motives for that incomprehensible attempt to make a friend of him remained hidden in as thick a darkness as ever. Victim of adverse circumstances, he had determined

not master of his own glorious voice; he was without the self-possession indispensable to the perfect performance o

us error, on the last occasion when they had met, in speaking at all-Carmina neither answered him

so as to place hi

passed between us," he resumed, "when w

rred her spirit into asserting itself. "Let me by, if y

which I have referred, you were so good as to make advances, to which I cannot cons

nderstand

yes-y

n the bell which rang below stairs, i

l table, she placed her letter in the post-basket. His eye followed it, as it left her hand: he became suddenly penitent and polite. "I a

tly closed the door again, and returned to t

ng his mistress on her way to the lecture. None of the female servants were on the

f its own forging, his vindictive nature now connected his hatred of the person to whom the letter was addressed, with his interest in stealing the letter itself for the possible discovery of Carmina's secrets. The clock told him tha

that there was a narrow escape of collision. The maid screamed; Carmina turned pale; the coachman wondered why t

TER

been troubled by serious doubts, af

ut the lawyer preserved a vivid remembrance of the interview which had taken place at his office. The detestable pleasure which Mrs. Gallilee had betrayed in profaning the memory of Carmina's mother, had so shocked and disgusted him, that he recoiled from the idea of holding

ay, no lett

nly at the close of the day's work that he had leisure to think of a matter of greater importance-that is to say, of the necessity of discovering Benjulia's friend of other days, the Italian teacher Baccani. He left in

On Tuesday afternoon, Baccani's

Arrived at Baccani's lodgings, he was informed that the language-master had gone to his dinner at a neighbouring restaurant. Mr. Mool waited at the lodgings, and sent a note to Baccani. In ten minutes more he found hi

ject that he had in view, he left the apology for his intrusion to be inferred, and

hile he listened, Baccani expressed the concl

e improved my opinion of human nature since you entered this room. T

tin box. Having opened the rusty lock with some difficulty, he produced a rag

statement which vindicates this lady's reputation. Before

with some of the circumstances to which you are about to allude. I happen to know of the wager in which the calumny originated, an

he said, "almost as keenly as I feel my own disgraceful conduct, in permitting a woman's

mentioned your name t

hand with a gestu

e position as a teacher of languages, I looked up without envy to his celebrity among doctors; I thought I might remind him, not unfavourably, of our early friendship-I, who had done him a h

e," Mr. Mool pleaded. "Did your acquaintance with him con

the club at which we were accustomed to meet, he had left Rome. Fro

were now revealed. Mr. Mool had only to hear, next, how that refutation had been obta

he performance was over, I traced her back to Mr. Robert Graywell's house. He and his wife were both absent at a party. I was too indignant to wait till they came back. Under the threat of charging the wretch with stealing her mistress's clothes, I extorted from her the signed confession which you have in your hand. She was under notice to leave her place for insolent behaviour. The personation which had been intended to deceive me, was an act of revenge; planned between herself and the blackguard who had employed her to make his lie look

ich he might think desirable. His one remaining anxiety was to hear what had become of the pers

ed this in his

closed my lips; and I was the only person acquainted with the circumstances. I wrote to our club declaring the fellow to be a cheat-and leaving it to be inferred that he cheated at cards. He knew better than to in

ul view, which believes in the agreeable fiction called "Poetical justice." He

ded a bright day to my calendar. In our pilgrimage, my friend, through this world of rogues

ey pa

nes, addressed to Benjulia:-"You set the false report afloat. I leave it to your sense of duty, to decide whether you ought not to go at once to Mrs. Gallilee, and tell her that the slan

ossible space of time, found Mr. Mool waiting at the office, on his re

nd at Montreal, containing this satisfactory answer to his question:-"Not brain disease." With his mind now set completely at rest, his instincts as a gentleman w

turned to

r if Mrs. Gallilee w

s absent, sir-att

Doctor Ben

house, to wai

TER

into the library, when there was another ring at the bell. The new visitor was Mr. Le Frank. He app

ress is

he hall-clock. The hall-clock answered h

t Mrs. Gallil

n had his orders to be in waiti

ket. "Say that I have an appointment, and am not able to wait. Give Mrs. Gallil

Mindful of visits from tradespeople, anxious to see his mistress, and provided beforehand with letters to be delivered immedia

door opened, and Benjulia appeared-weary already of w

owed in the lib

ous admiration of a short boy. He replied with a discretion beyo

ody t

aster

vitation to the smoking-room. "A

age answered. "And I think," he

s Mr.

octor,

urb the doctor. He tried

re's

voice from the upper

eman with the resonant bass voice answered

up!" c

ascended

ted the voic

lia s

got your b

es

nto the hall. The page respectfully handed him his st

aid in charge) to receive him on the stairs. They met on the landing, outside Carmina's room. Zo possessed her

stick

e said-and seized him by the coat-tails. Mr. Null r

ay when Ovid had fainted, and when the great man had treated her so h

he landing, he looke

Mr. Mool. Had Mrs. Gallilee repeated, in Carmina's presence, the lie which s

ation, sir, in my interesting patient, as you no doubt perceive," he began. "Not such rapid progress towards recovery as I had hoped. I think of recommending the air of the seaside." Benjulia's dreary

bject even of momentary interest to him. He was ready to play with Zo-but not on condition of amusing himself with the child, in Carmina's presence. "I a

ld a manner, she looked at Benjulia with a timid and troubled smile. "Pray wait here till my aunt comes back," she said. "Zo w

ing her. The silent questioning of his eyes had been a

at last, had only succeeded in becoming an object of medical inquiry, pursued in secret. When he companionably took a chair by her side, and let Zo climb on his knee, he was privately regretting his cold reception

ted-but there was no ta

yet," she said. "Show

dged the process with a wriggle and a scream. The performance being so

Tinker kic

gain. The young tyrant

e Carmina!

ever. Those coldly-inquiring eyes exercised some inscrutable influence over her. Now they made her angry; and now they frightened her. The silence that had fallen on them again, beca

nplace remark-and yet, i

" he a

she persisted in speaking to him.

"Are you fond o

knee; retired to a little distance to

ered this time-as she had formerly answer

in a slow, puzzled way. "I

however, getting on his knee again. She clasped her chubby hands under the inspiration

ok his

games, when you wer

forgotte

you got c

N

you got

N

you got a

N

are a miser

sterics, when Benjulia's eyes, silently questioning her again, controlled her at the critical moment. Her laughter died away. But the e

yours," she said to him-so loudly and

life either," he admit

hat is

" Zo interposed. "Do

e silent-without turning towards her. He answer

," he said, "reconc

tired of your stu

ever get ti

couldn't st

I shouldn't

t it would kill

N

at do yo

from his touch; he deliberately held her by the arm. "Yo

of asserting herself. "I know why Carmina's excited

he persisted in keeping watch on Ca

minutes to six. In ten minutes, I shall have my arms round Teresa's neck. Don't look at me in that way! It's your fault if I'm excited. It's your dreadful eyes that do it. Come here, Zo! I want to give you

ively to the sofa.

she went on talking. "Ah, you're a hard man! a miserable man! a man tha

t is

she suddenly became indifferent to persons and things about her. "When w

t that moment. Not the vestige of a change appeared in Benjulia's impenetrable composure. She might have been a man-or a

esumed-"and

ot a movement

persisted, waiting

e thought. "We shall see what comes of it." He looked about him. A bottle of water sto

again. Not quite sure of herself this time, she appealed

the schoolroom, when we want to know?" His attention, like Carmina's attention, seemed to be

tender place, hidden so deep from the man himself, that even his far-reaching intellect groped in vain to find it out. There, nevertheless, was the feeling which drew him to Zo, contending successfully with his medical

Zo answered. "Carmina's got

d trying to spell a word," she explained. "What I hate is being asked what it means. Miss Miner

the dictionary, he looked again at Carmina. She had not moved; she seemed to be weary enough to fall asleep. The reaction-nothing but the reaction.

'm an object of compassion, because I know nothing

ion of the mind excited by beauty and worth of any kind, or by the qualities of an object which communicate pleasure. Second: Courtship. Third: P

g nothing to amuse her, strayed away to the w

ess is to explain it, tries seven different ways, and doesn't explain it after all. And yet, there is such a thing." He reached that conclusion unwillingly and angrily. For the first time,

it. She tried to get Carmina for a companio

d spoken to Benjulia, her thoughts had been dwelling restfully on Ovid.

strong reason, still held him in thrall. "Love!" he broke out, in the bitterness of his he

e better for it." She looked at him with sorrowful eyes, and

is the better for it," he repea

ooked towards the heavenly tr

hat it is?"

" she

ia was

TER

, turning suddenly from the window, ran to

Carmina

oor of the bed-chamber. "It's mamma," sh

, de

come to you. She's a quick one on her legs-she might catch me on the stairs.

icate connection between human faith and human happiness. Slowly, slowly, the clock recorded the lapse of minutes. Carmina's nervous anxiety began to forecast disaster to the absent nurse. She took Teresa's telegram from her pocket, and consulted it again. There was no mistake; six o'clock was the time named for

r-Mrs. Gallilee sudde

sence like a ghost. Her look and manner showed serious agitation, desperately suppressed. In certain places, the paint and powder o

him without troubling himself to notice her temper. "When you are able to attend to me, I want to speak to you. Shall I wait downstairs?" He took his hat and stick-to leave the room; looked at Carmina as he passed

r. She advanced close to Carmina, and allowed her hand to be seen.

armina was hidden, for the moment, from Benjulia's

on it, had just dr

who had been expected t

ed to be a grey-headed woman, shabbily dressed. Mr. Gallilee cordially shook hands with her-patted her on the shoulder-gave her his arm-l

Gallilee's first words were now spoken, in a whisper. The inner fury of her anger, s

this letter

-basket that afternoon; the letter which declared that she could no longer endure his moth

her mind realised the outrage implied in

om. The same spirit in her-the finely-strung spirit that vibrates unfelt in gentle natures, while they live in peace-steadied those quivering nerves, roused that

re you

you steal

ress at the throat, to get breath. "You impude

julia heard her. "Hold your damned t

gh. "My niece?" she repeated. "You lie-and you know it! She's th

words passed her lips. The nurse

tigress might have held her. Her eyes rolled in the mute agony of an appeal for help. In vain! in vain! Not a cry, not a sound, had drawn attention to the attack. Her husband's eyes were fixed, horror-struck, on the victim of her rage. Benjulia had crossed the room to the sofa, when

up in Car

k Carmina with a stony calm. She had not started, she had not swooned. Rigid, immovable, there she sat; voiceles

"Oh, Saints beloved of God! Oh, blessed Virgin, mother of Christ, spare my child, my sweet child!" She rose in wild despair-she seized Benjulia, and madly

," said Benju

ars fell slowly over her haggard face. "I am very fond of her, sir," she said humbly. "I'm only an old w

on was not distur

?" he asked. "I am a d

n know this doctor-the kind old man?" She looked vacantly for Mr. Galli

of that She-Devil poisons the air," she said. "I must take my ch

ew back, breathlessly watching her. Her rigid face

of you help me?" he asked. His tone struck Ben

ply, Benjulia turned to Teresa. "Where

The message says." She signed to him to l

ation, he sent the nurse into the bedroom, with instructions to bring him the blankets off the bed. In the minut

at Carmina. "For God's sake, don't leave her here!" he broke out. "After wh

ready-"I'll see to it." Mr. Gallilee persiste

risks. No more questi

ee obeyed

m door. Zo ventured in. Her father caught her in his arms, and kissed her as he had never kissed her yet. His eyes were wet with tears. Zo noticed that he never s

TER

lee and to place her on the sofa. Having so far assisted the servant, Mr. Gallilee took Zo by the hand, and drew back. Daunted by the terrible sce

e with the members of her family, she became composed: her mind

isfigured me?" sh

s," she said. The maid found a hand-glass in the bedroom, and presented it to her. She looked at

is Ca

he house-

bewilder her: she a

say, tha

, ma

hing? Who knows wher

ress to the cabman." With that answer, she turned anxiou

re Mr. Gallilee could reply. "

id Mr. G

ith astonishment. "

ietly, "I

ng me another bonnet and a veil. Stop!" She tried to rise, and sank

lee followed her as far as the doo

Zo; be a good girl, and you will console me. Say the same to Maria. It will be

ething?" said Zo.

for

bring her

above a whisper. Mrs. Gallilee h

a back," she said, "the

ather. "Do you say

schoolroom. On the first landing she stopped, and looked ba

she answered. Followed by the dog, she sat down in a corner. "What are you thinking abou

left him. He took a chair, without sp

ou here for

wait,"

at

what y

the stimulant, Mrs. Gallilee was able to rise. "My head is giddy," she said,

silently foll

tinately bent on following her own designs. "I shall be better directly," she said; "put me on the sofa." Marceline relieved her of her bonnet and veil, and asked respectfully if there was any other service required. She looked defiantly at her husband, and reiterat

ent and contempt. "Are you in

suppose it's possible-a clear-headed man might have found out how wicked you are." She lay, thinking; indifferent to anything

by Joseph. "Doctor Benjulia has com

re i

he li

mustn't tell her. If you have mentioned it to any of the other servants-it's quite likely they may have asked you, isn't it?" he said, falling i

regarding his master with a feeling of r

asked, eager fo

ved," Benjulia replied.

ntioned the precautions that he had take

ses of partial catalepsy, there is no saying when the change may come. When it does come, I won't answer for her niece's reason, if those two see each other again. Send for you own

his visiting cards. It was

. "Here are some papers, which I have received from your lawyer, Mr. M

a-I can't bear it! Please to excuse my rudeness: it isn't intentional-I don't know myself what's the matter with me. I've always led a q

t which they were sitting. Benjulia was absolutely incapable

n to blame-to set the matter right. As it is, I leave her to make the discovery for herself. I

rm in my calling at the house, t

ve had a little talk with that curious foreign savage. I said, 'You have committed, what we consider in England, a murderous assault. If Mrs. Gallilee doesn't mind the public exposure, you may find yourself in a prison.' She snapped her

absently: his mind s

of this house. It's no wonder if I was wrong. What I am t

grim smile; Mr. Gallilee'

say that moving her was the least of two risks? And haven't I just warned you of what might have happened, if we had left your wife an

meant his dread of a commonplace termination to an exceptionally interesting case. He might also have acknowledged, that he was not yielding obedience to the

n of the nervous hysteria which, in such a constitution as Carmina's, threatened to establish itself, in course of time, as the hidden cause. These motives-not only excused, but even ennobled, by their scientific connection with the interests

hall. "Can I be of further use?" he asked carelessl

r. Gallilee. "You will see her you

e had already suggested new ideas. Even the civilised savage of modern physiology (where

opened the

d, as he stepped out,

irs, in the

ll her, when she wants to be tickled

e hesitated. The papers were enclosed in a sealed envelope, addressed to his wife. Secured in this way from inquisitive eyes, there was n

had been left at the house by Doctor Benjulia-he dismissed the woman from

her book; and even i

at his favourite daughter was employed on a writing lesson-following Maria's industrious example for once. "Good children!" he said, looking aff

desk, he might have seen that Zo had be

happy again? There was the question which Zo asked herself,

by the minds of children, Zo had long since discovered that the member of the household, preferred to all others by Carmina, was the good brother who

he right conclusion. The way to make Carmina well and happy again, was to bring Ovid back. One of the two enve

rite that letter-a

sition in the house. But she had seen him, as everybody else had seen him, "afraid of mamma." The doubt whether he might not "tell mamma," decided her on keeping her secret. As the event

r system of composition excluded capitals and stops; and reduced all the words in

you be quick be quick don't say I writ this

ad her directed envelope (sadly crumpled) in her pocket; but she was afraid to ta

rived. The parlour-maid unexpectedly returned. She addressed Mr. Gallilee with the air of mystery in which Engli

re i

ide,

im to c

in the regions above the drawing-room, without being first represented by an ambassadress-attention was n

uite know whether I ought to disturb my mistress. M

lour-maid. "Was your mistress

ld me to bring h

en ill, her attentive husband never left it to the servan

s, Joseph, that Mr

TER

efuted by unanswerable proof. And the man whose exertions had achieved this result, was her own lawyer-the agen

relations between Mr. Mool and

e lay, urged to action by every reason that a resolute woman could have for asserting her power, an

the sofa. In a recumbent position, the giddiness subsided. She could ring the hand-bell on the table at her side. "

uld call on Mrs. Gallilee as soon as possible. H

the top of his letter the address, which she had thus far tried vainly to discover, stared her in the face: the house was within five minutes' walk-and she was not even able to cross the ro

nocked at

it?" s

Le Frank has called, ma'am-and w

or of her own helplessness drove her on. Here was the man, whose timely betrayal of Carmina had stopped

Frank," she sai

obscurely lit room, and bowed to

you, madam, at an

, Mr. Le Frank; but I am abl

was too late, she weakly tried to put herself on her guard. What a decay of energy (she felt it herself) in the ready an

efforts to steady it. Mr. Le Frank's vanity drew its

lied. "Early this evening, I left a few lines here, enclosing

es

you re

esitated. Mr. L

Be so good as to tell me plainly, on your side, which I am-a man who has disgraced hims

allilee's consideration. She was incapable of pronouncing judgment; the mere effort of decision, after what she had suf

onfidence that had been placed in him-he repe

r-perfectly useless for the purpose with which I opened it-offers me a means of being even with Mis

. Le Frank, out o

niece to last-I never forget an injury. Is it indiscreet to inquire how you mean to keep Miss Carmina

ity in these questions-elaborately conceal

ger in my house," s

ried Mr.

n. "Removed," she said, and

gain. "Removed, I presume, under t

w about the nurse? "May I

," he said. "Permit me to remind you that your niece's letter to Mr. Ovid Vere is

ly excluded from her confidence a man who was already in possession of her secrets! Mr. Le Frank's

mble offers of service. I wouldn't fatigue you, Mrs. Gallilee, for the world! At the same time, permit me to put one la

N

that she may send for

aiting downstairs. Mrs. Gallilee arranged that he should be admitted when she rang her bell. Mr.

d the governess have been concerned. After we have already intercepted a letter, hesitation is absurd! You are not equal to the effort yourself. I know t

blow it out again. Eager for any discovery which might, by the barest possibility, place Teresa at her

e shade over the globe of the lamp. Her medical attenda

before been so soothing and so attentive. But he forgot, or he was afraid, to consult appearances by asking what was the matter, before he felt the pulse, and took the tem

she said, "when I s

ight be unhappily confined to her room for some little time. He had hope in his prescription, and hope in perfect quie

ain," said M

pale. He foresaw

e on Miss Carmina. I wish t

he case causes us serious anxiety. The complica

, Mr. Null, can

efinite answer. "

next question after waiting

n, the nurse-the only

eadful woman; coarse, furious, a perfect

do anything for me. You can do me a great ser

dant of the family, he was not unacquainted with

," Mrs. Gallilee announced. "Can you,

inly! My o

behind me. I won't keep you more than five m

in your prese

tion can say what she means to do. I shall not close my eyes tonight, unless I

ed the names, an

. Gallilee proceeded; "and then refer the

ime it w

has been taken away from me, a

his ability, Mr

Gallilee, "write

a revived her. For the moment, at least

th a hand that trembled a little. The

g lady is now lying ill. I further warn this person, that my niece will be restored to my care, the moment her medical at

lent dismay. He took out his han

me?" Mrs. Gallilee asked bitterly. "Let me hear that the lawyers have got their instructions, when you c

d the dressing-room door, the serious question

ER XL

ind was not at ease. He was troubled by a question entirely new to

o, he only renewed his perplexity and distress. To leave them (as he had hitherto left them) absolutely submitted to their mother's authority, was to resign his children to the influence of a woman, who had ceased to be the object of his confidenc

at Teresa's lodgings, in the hope

eless questions, repeated over and over again in futile changes of words. The landlady was patient: she respected the undisguised grief of the gentle modest old man; but she held to the hard truth. The one possible answer was the

?" Simple Mr. Gallilee wrote back: "Oh, dear, no; it's only me! I'll call again." Besides his critical judgment in the matter of champagne, this excellent man possessed another acc

was informed of the events that had followed the visi

y exercised an influence over each other, of which both were alike unconscious. Out of their common horror of Mrs. Gallile

e, this is a ver

it so-or I shouldn't

ee so many complications ahead of

a comfort to me that

up and down his room, as a mea

ung lady," he resumed

if you doubted her ever getting well-you see it yourself in that

gets better. But the difficulty meets us, all the same.

walk up and down the room. That well-meant

na's guardian?" he asked-with the nearest app

ghts. He only enlightened Mr. Gallile

adly weak. If you will allow me to say so, your wife's self-asserting way-well, it was so unlike her brother's way, that it had its effect on him! If Lady Northlake had been a little less quiet and retiring, the matter might have ended in a very

eated-and feebly clenched his f

suggested by something said to me by Miss Carmina

" he answered. "I always kiss her when we say good-

viser, seemed rather to surprise Mr. Mool. "Did she ever

r. Gallilee. His honest face answered for him-he was not

s to hasten Mr. Ovid's return. There i

t once!" cried

, greedy for encouragement-"does

r. Gallilee's weak voice piped high: he was gett

he other seized a pen. "Shall we send th

on, To-" There the pen stopped. Ovid was still in the wilds of Canada. The one way of communicating with him was through the medium of th

rval of inaction followed. Mr. Gallilee's fortitude su

. Gallilee's depression of spirits. "We are quite helpless," he remarked, "till Mr. Ovid comes back. In the interval, I see no choice for Miss Carmina but to submit to

?" Mr. Galli

A very painful impression has been produced on you. Naturally! naturally!

Mr. Gallilee, bewildered

wed by excellent results. Mrs. Gallilee might not object to waive her claims, until time has softened existi

dear good children-it's enough to break one's heart-think of their being brought up by a mother who could say what she said, and do-What will they see, I ask you what will they see, if she gets Carmina back in the house, and treats that sweet young creature as she will treat her? There were times last night, when I thought of going away for ever-Lord knows where-and taking the girls with me. What am I talking a

his presence of mind, the moment Mr. Gallilee appealed to him in his legal capacity. "Don't dist

mean i

are concerned, the authority is y

the example-don't

you. For the present at least,

nce,

the lawye

of resolution, by this time. They were almost loud

wife may say!" Mr.

say," Mr. Mool rejoined,

u know

w. You have only t

ave only t

ildren's sak

awyer's adv

a flaw in him anywhere. They were both exhausted

. "You don't happen to have a d

s within easy reach of Mrs. Gallilee. The statement of this objection stimulated his friend's memory. Lady Northlake was in Scotland. Lady Northlake had invited Maria and Zo, over and over again, to pass the autumn with their cousins; but Mrs. Gallilee's jealousy had always contrived to find some plausible reason for refusal. "Write at once,"

ss of wine at his lips. "I say!

ou are," Mr. Ga

ally send th

n the day when Lady No

ote of that,"

r. Gallilee still thought of Carmina. "Do consider it again

er father's Will,"

suggestion, in the brightest colours. "Why

he said. "It only occurs to me now that the Will may give us a remedy-if there i

on too well to reckon hopefully on such a result as this. But

a letter into the pillar-post-box at the corner of the Square; she changed colour,

made straight for the smoking-room-and passed his youngest da

ered, when Marceline returne

me what you saw yesterday, when you w

honourable promptitude Zo, perched on her friend's knee, exerted

TER

visit to Mrs. Gallilee. He entered the room with gloomy looks; and made

u still on the sofa. Is there

what

al attendant giv

es patience. No more of myself! You

een bitterly disappointed," he said. "My feelings as an artist are wounded to the quick.

ed to explain himself. Events had followed her instructions to Mr. Null, which left Mrs. Gallilee in need of

hope, to complain of

adam, I have no pupils.

to trouble herself any further. The direct way was

in plain ter

e over the public taste? My composition has been carefully based on fashionable principles-that is to say, on the principles of the modern German school. As little tune as possible; and that little strictly confined to the accompaniment. And what is the result? Loss confronts me, instead of profit-my agre

sense understood the heart-b

ne. If your publisher's account is not satisfactory-be so good as to send it to me." Mr. Le Frank dropped his dry handkerchief, and sprang theatrically to his feet. His indulgent patroness refused to hear him: to this admirable woman, the dignity of Art was

s was concerned. But the time was not favourable to a confession of personal disappo

d-and held out the letter of

to be the object of Teresa's inveterate resentment, and whic

m you?" Mr. L

feel," she answered. "

nvolved in the failure of his Song. Observing Mrs. Gallilee, he began to see possibilities of a brighter prospect still. Thus far she had kept him a

ather Patrizio's lette

uce on you," she asked, "know

adam, speaks for itself. You have

esitated to

erhaps, to be in this helpless condition for some time to come.

ould

hat pu

nguage of the card-table, I should

as sho

I ask

morn

r a last moment of hesitation, the pitiless necessities of her position decided her once

either pride nor contempt had been strong enough to resist. She allowed the music-master to infer, that contending claims to authority over Carmin

suffering from nervous illness; she was naturally terrified-and she is now at the nurse'

ked, "that the easiest way out of it, so far,

public exposure," Mrs. Gallilee answer

der the circumstances," he said, "it's not easy to advise you. How can

e made her subm

Mr. Le Frank forgot himself. "Th

e. They have informed her that Miss Carmina will be restored to my care, the moment she can

k at her side, and read

mit to, her authority as guardian of Miss Carmina Graywell. And I appeal to her mercy (which I own I have not deserved) to

lee concluded, "

r once, Mr. Le Frank

And when you are well enough to go to her lodgings, declin

you insulting me, sir," she asked, "by making

e in earnest, ma

ink-that she is capable

ssuredl

Mr. Le Frank stated his reasons; checki

keeps her conscience, and knows her well; and she has attacked you with such murderous ferocity that it is a wonder you have escaped with your life. What sort of message have you sent to her, after this experience of her temper? You have told the tigress that you have the power to separa

Gallilee-never before reduced to ask advice of anybody

the demand made on h

give way. Rely on it, she is prepared for you-and there is at least a chance that some proof of it may be found. Have

aid Mrs.

. Le Frank

re the man to do it for me!" she answered. "A

r softened to an air

"I am so glad to be of service t

sil

lodging-house; and, at this time of year, hav

nts a bedroom. His habits are quiet, and he gives excellent refere

PTE

ening of Thursday, Carmina reco

llilee escaped her; she expressed no anxiety about Miss Minerva; no sign of uneasiness at finding herself in a. strange room, disturbed her quiet face. Contentedly reposing, she looked at Teresa from time to time and said, "You will stay with me, won't you?" Now and then, she confessed that her head felt dull and heavy, and asked Te

nt attack of sickness came on. It was repeated again and again. Teresa sent for Mr. Null. He did w

swering personally the appe

Mr. Null showed his prescription. Benjulia sanctioned the prescription. Mr. Null s

ttle consideration, she answered, "Yes, Zo was with us; Zo brought in your big stick; and we talked-" She tried to rouse her memory. "What did we talk about?" she asked. A momentary ag

she grew drowsy. "Great weakness," Mr. Null whispe

ut, he took

said-"and don't help her

when she gets bett

o say, yet. W

rmina's case. Some hidden process was at work there: give it time-and it would show itself. "I hope

d the physiologist

y longer intervals of repose. In other respects, there seemed (as Teresa persisted in thinking) to be some little promise of improvement. A

he forbade Teresa to write to him; she sent messages to Mr. and Mrs.

ol had decided on sending their telegram to the bankers. As for Teresa herself, she had no desire to communicate with Ovid. His absence remained inexcusable, from her point of view. Well or ill, with or without rea

time, the languid efforts of

ioned Miss Minerva. "Do you know where she has gone? Don't you think she ought to write to me?" Teresa offered to make inquiries. She turned her head wearily on the pillow, and said, "Neve

ind for more than a few minutes, was her remembranc

ayed her in escaping to Canada; she talked to Teresa of the clever manner in which the flight had been planned-with this strange fai

intervals of sleep. Sometimes, she drifted back into partial unconsciousness; sometimes, the attacks of sickness returned. Mr. Null set an excellent example of patience and resignation. He believed as devoutly as ever in his prescriptions; he placed the greatest reliance on time and care. The derangement of the stomach (as he called it) presented something positive and tangible to treat: he had got over the doubts and anxieties that

y?" said the downright nurse. "Tell

to this demand on it. "The progress is slow," h

asked abruptly. "When is Mistre

o women met. As it was, Teresa's face showed signs of serious disturbance: her mind was plainly not

t have seen something, in your time, of the ways of deceitful Englishwomen.

reluctance

nises the apology and submission offered to her, as to abstain from taking immediate proceedings. In arriving at this decision, she is also influenced by the necessity of

the capacity of that lady's amanuensis, had been evidently capable of giving sound advice. Little did he suspect that this mysterious

" said

ll hes

ell me this! When she does come here, will she

said prude

orning! I want nothing more of you.

r and over again the words of the Lord's Prayer: "'Lead us not into temptation, but de

Carmina, peacefully asleep-then turned away to a corner of the room, in which stood an old packing-case, fitte

key. Setting this mistake right, she disclosed-strangely mingled with the lighter articles of her own dress-a heap of p

ay; if she had only sorted her husband's papers, before she threw the things that her trunk was too full to hold into that half-empty case, wha

it in one corner, she produced a little tin canister. A dirty label was pas

od wife, or any other trustworthy person in her place, to put a seal on it, and take it directly to the manufac

ed. Under some strange impulse, she did what a c

ble fascination over her. "The devil's dance," she said to herself, with a ghastly smile. "Softly

her thinking of

Rome-intending to sort her husband's papers as a means of relief from her own thoughts. In this way, she had discovered the canister. The sight of the deadly powder had tempted her. There were the horrid means of setting Mrs. Gallilee'

o

or of the canister made her suspicious of the curiosity of other people, who might see it in her hand if she showed herself on the stairs. But she was determined, if she lit a

the wall on the other-and began the work of destruction by scraping off the paper label. The fragments might be burnt, and the p

ghting of a fire, on that warm autumn day, might look suspicious if the landlady or Mr. Null

on, she mechanically susp

on the stairs. Immediately afterwards, the person turned the handle of the second door at her side. S

landlady looked at the cupboard

'm late to-day in making my inquiries after our young lady. You see we have been hard at work upstairs, getting the bedroom ready for a new lodger. Such a contrast to the person who has just left. A perfect gentleman, this time-and so kind in waiting a week till I was able to accommodate him. My ground floor rooms were vacant, as you know-but he said the terms were too high for him. Oh, I didn't forget to mention that we had an invalid in the house! Quiet

sides the sound of her own voice. It became possible to discov

out of curiosity," as she afterwards said, in conversati

ere was a white powder inside. The mutilated label spoke in an unknown tongue. She wetted her finger and tasted the powder. T

y said to herself. "Why should she h

PTE

d interview with Mrs. Gallilee, Mr. Le F

scovered in personal communication with Mrs. Gallilee. Mr. Le Frank employed the first day after his arrival in collecting the ma

,-I have not wasted my time and my op

rse. Having some little matters of my own to settle, I was late in taking possession of my room. Bef

culous assertion was actually verified in my case! Before I had been five minutes at my post, I saw the nurse open her door. She looked up the

ock the door, I stole downs

as lighting a fire-on such a warm autumn night, that the staircase window was left open!

sing kind, a candle would have answered their purpose. If they wanted hot water, surely a tin kettle and a spirit lamp must have

for the f

of making myself agreeable to the sex, I may say without vanity that I produced a favourable impression. In

e has risen to the surface. There is a suspicious canister in the nurse's

anciful conclusion?

relating to Teresa's life in Italy and to the persons with whom she associated. Do you remember telling me, when I asked what you knew of her husband, that he was f

he priest's letter says of Teresa's feeling towards you, and then say-Is it so very unlikely that she has brought with her to England one of the p

condition of a lock, I can decide the question, at the first

e of the powder-leaving the canister undisturbed. The sample shall be tested by a c

to go to the house, give the n

pay our visit at tea-time. Let her offer you a cup-and let me (under pretence of handing it) ge

together with your own evidence, ready for your son on his return. How will he feel about his marriage-engagement, when he f

had a narrow escape, only two hours sin

contrary, I propose (in your interests) to establish a neighbourly acquaintance-with time to help me. But the matter of the poison admits of no delay. My chance of gettin

r, he rang for the maid, a

ctor Benjulia. The fierce old nurse followed him out, and said, "Post it instantly!" The civil maid asked if Miss

Mr. Le Frank sat at the writing-ta

ame to discover the secret of her behaviour to him. For the hundredth time he said to himself, "Her devilish malice reviles me behind my back, and asks me before my face to shake hands and be friends." The more outrageously unreasonable his suspicions became, under the exasperating influence of suspense, the more inveterately his vindicti

e words, in those faint tones, were inaudible. Teresa's stronger voice easily reached his

le. Teresa's vigilance might relax if Carmina fell aslee

in. The lights on the staircase wer

erment of his own abominable thoughts had fevered him. A cowardly dread of the slightest signs of illness was one of his special

ended the stairs. She too heard the voice, still readin

r thing not

N

n disturbed

alking about, overhe

xclaimed the landlady. "I'

and saying good-night, Teresa st

new lodger

o you k

en I was last

el

Teresa answere

TER

nking of Mr. Le Frank. It was one way of getting through the weary time,

ime of her last visit to England, his personal appearance had produced such a disagreeable impression on her, that she had even told Carmina "the music-master looked like a rogue." With her former prejudice against him now revived, and wit

ext day, he had himself become an object of suspicion to

ight which the faithful old nurse

which she had relished at other times. Once or twice, when she drowsily stirred in her bed, she showed symptoms of delusion. The poor girl supposed it was the eve or her wedding-day, and eagerly asked what Teresa had done with her new dress

there came a long

absent. Mr. Null expected to be roughly rebuked for having disturbed the great man by a false alarm. He attempted to explain: and Teresa attempted to explain. Benjulia

e said; "I want to hav

resa, while the investigation was going on. It lasted so long

nd and practised observation detected a trifling inequality in the size of the pupils of the eyes, and a slightly unequal action on either side of the face-delicately presented in the eyelids, the nostrils, and the lips. Here was no common affection of the brain, which even Mr. Null could un

Null, and finished the

rig

to suggest, sir?"

draw down the blind, if she co

doctor?" said Teresa, when

ave!" cried Mr. Nu

a goo

do yo

we can trust him to

bt it, indeed, after he had approve

n," Teresa persisted. "You haven't a

he would have set me down as a fool! Nobody ca

t. The nurse f

ng to Mrs. G

to-

he be

lmost wel

TER

e sitting-room: she was afraid

ers had dictated. What was the prospect now? Heavily had the merciless hand of calamity fallen on that brave old soul-and, at last, it had beaten her down! While she stood at the window, mechanically looking out, the dreary view of the back street trembled and disappeared. Teresa was

ster!" she sa

looking through the keyhole. It was the one safe

If her distrust of him was without foundation, he would go on downstairs. No! He stopped

. The sound instantly drove him

n-and, if possible, of punishment as well-lay within her reac

anxious to hear what the doctors thought of their patient. Satisfied so far, the wear

which I am not in the habit of conferring on ordinary lodgers-I have lent him my umbrella, as it threatens rain. In his absence, I will ask you to listen while I walk about in his room. One can't be too particular, when rest is of such importance to your young lady-and it h

tortuous mental process, that she was quite unable to trace, the landlady's allusion to Mr. Le Frank had suggested the very idea of which, in h

as she could make herself heard; "it was the creaking o

e servants may have to do, one of them shall be sent instantly to the

watch before she re

anticipated, she asked to have the blind lowered a little. Teresa drew it completely over the window: she had her own reasons for tempt

d key of the door that gave access to the bedroom from the stairs. Having satisfied herself that the key could no

pboard (situated in the angle of the sitting-room wall) to open towards the bedroom freely. Teresa oiled the hinges, and th

ed to last for an hour. In five m

wafted a kiss to Carmina, still at rest. She left the room by the door

red door, was the door which led into the sitting-room from the staircase. She opened

the hour when she ente

se: annoyed by the absence of the carpenter, at work somewhere else for the whole of the day. "If my dear husband had been alive, we should hav

Frank returned. The two secre

ember this la

roduced her cherry brandy. "We are going to have a nice little chat; do sit down, sir, and join us." Mr. Le Frank made his apologies. The umbrella which had been so kin

ich light was conveyed to the landlady's little room. The two women were comfortably seated together, with the cherry br

in the reach of her hand. The excellent heart of the hostess made allowance for natural anxiety. "Do it, you good soul," she said; "and come back directly!" Le

through the half open sitting-room door. She noiselessly entered the bedroom, and then locked the door a

heard the boards creak on the floor

r did it mean that he was really changing his shoes

ake him forget his precious health. His chest was delicate; a cold might settle on his lungs. The temptation of t

only knew when he had entered the sitting-room by hearing him try the bolted baize door. After

door by a mere hair's-breadth, admitted sound from the sitting-room. She now heard him turning the

to be opened, his uppermost idea was to discover

muttered to himself. The next sound startled Teresa; it was a tap against the li

ess, his choosing the canister, from dozens of other things scattered invitingly about it, inspired her with a feeling of distrustful surprise. She was no longer content to find out what he was doing by means of her

as still hidden from her. She

ompletely screened them one from the other. For the moment she was start

e said to himself. "The dirty

g on him unobserved; she forgot her resolution to do nothing that could awaken Carmina. Her fierce temper urged h

oor had caught, and crushed, the fingers of Le Frank's right ha

m, without even looking at

ek was the delusion of a vivid dream. She took Carmina in her arms, and patted and fondled her like a child. "See, my darling, I'm with you as us

rrupted by a muffled sound of men's foot

he closed it again, she saw and heard. Le Frank lay in a swoon on the floor. The landlady was knee

TER

downstairs to the library. On Tuesday, there would be no objection to her going out for a drive. Mr. Null left her, restored to her equable flow o

er; but she had not then recovered sufficiently to be able to re

ition-of favouring such a plot as he had suggested, was an insult which she was determined neither to forgive nor forget. Fortunately, she had not committed herself in writing; he could produce no proo

lting impression on her mind. The one way to remove it

ed even by their brethren, in terms which would be exaggerated if they were applied to Newton or to Bacon. Submit to lectures and addresses by dozens which, if they prove nothing else, prove that what was scientific knowledge some years since; is scientific ignorance now-and that what is scientific knowledge now, may be scientific ignorance in some years more. Absorb your mind in controversies and discussions, in which Mr. Always Right and Mr. Never Wrong exhibit the natural tendency of man to believe in himself, in the

of sky-blue, had been placed upside down. She looked at the book before she put it in its right position. The title was "Gallery

rted her hard lips, provoked by

e street; she had fallen in love with a poor young man, and had terrified her weak-minded hysterical mother, by threatening to commit suicide when the beloved object was forbidden the house. Comparing the girl of seventeen with the matured and cultivated woman of later years, wh

oment she regretted even this concession to human weakness. A disagreeable association presented itself, and arrested the pleasant flow

he question. But his conduct, since the catastrophe in Carmina's room, had produced a complete estrangement between the married pair. All his inquiries after his wife's health had been made by deputy. When he

ned to he

ropped into the box by private messenger. Communications of this latter sort procee

engaged until a successor to Miss Minerva could be found. In obedience to Mrs. Gallilee's

fferent kind. It related the disas

he alarm, he proceeded in these words: "You will, I fear, lose the services of your present music-master. Inquiries made this morning at the hospital, and reported to me, appear to suggest serious results.

only be reported in her own words. She-who knew, on the best scientific authority, that

s. Gallilee had got rid of Mr. Le Frank. In that moment of infinite relief, if her

surprised, precisely as his mistress had been surprised. Mr. Gallilee had a large brown paper parcel under his arm-the second which he had taken out of the house with his own hands! Moreover, he looked excessi

, the new governess arrived. Mrs. Gallile

ster had taken them out for a little walk, before they began their lessons. He had been informed that the lady w

omeone rang the door bell. The door being duly opened, nobody appeared on the house-step. Joseph looked into the

"like a woman gone distracted." Not without reason-to do her justice. Mr. Gallilee's method of relieving his wife's anxiety was remarkable by its brevity. In one sentence, he a

ed to the library, when Mrs. Gallilee

Had they taken anything with them-a travelling bag for instance? They had taken nothing, except Mr. Gallilee's umbrella. Who had seen Mr. Gallilee last, on the previous night? Joseph had seen him last. The lower classes in England have one, and but one, true feeling of sympathy with the higher classes. The man above them appeals to their hearts, and merits their true service, when he is unsteady on his legs. Joseph nobly confined his evidence to what he had observed some hours previously: he mentioned the parcel. Mrs. Gallilee's keen perception, quickened by her own experience at the window, arrived at the truth. Those two bulky packages must have contained clot

heard what had happened. Was he the bearer of bad news? Mrs.

n, "a joyful surprise, Mrs. Gallilee! I

it to her

ess. Shall catch the Boston steamer, and sail to-morrow for Liverpool. Break

r. If all went well, Ovid might

PTE

echanically on the slip of paper. When she spoke, her voice startled Mr. Null. Usually loud and hard, her tones w

prepared for it. I am getting well; but, you see, I am not quite so strong as I was before that woman attacked me. My husband has gone away

For once, his stock of conventional phrases failed him. Who could have anticipated such conduct on the part of he

now," she said. "My son is coming home in a hurry bec

ppealed to his knowledge of his patient. "Impossib

got that. There was something else. Oh

s patient of a first allusion to the good news. He had only ventured to say that Mr. Ovid's agents in Canada had heard from him on hi

was pursuing her own thoughts, withou

e to my son," she persis

nlikely. The nurse's language showed a hostile feel

at the telegram. "Why," she ask

himself. "As the medical attendant of the family, your son n

f a wandering mind-but it had hit the truth. Kept in ignorance of Carmina's illness by the elder members of the family, at what other conclusio

or acting on Mr. Ovid's behalf, and he must therefore beg leave to keep it. Mrs. Gallilee permitted him to exchang

your pulse b

her arm to hi

e window, and said, "Send it away." Mr. Null remonstrated. "My dear lady, the air will do yo

esa, but with her son. With this burden on her enfeebled mind-heavily laden by the sense of injury which her husband's flight had aroused-she had not even reserves enough of energy to spare for the trifling effort of dressing to go out. She broke into irritability, for the first time. "I am trying to find out

her in

rderous attack made on her by Teresa, which had not perhaps hitherto sufficiently impressed him. In the shock inflicted on the patient's body, had there been

your master and the

s,

old me of it, whe

one any h

u want me, I shall be at

ied for advice. After what Mr. Null had said, Joseph hesitated to conduct this gentleman in

copied telegram and the letter from her husband, lying together on h

," was all

shall I s

wretch!" Her head drooped again over the papers. Joseph returned to the lawyer. "My mistres

, until Joseph appeared. "I'm famished," she said. "Something t

he very things I like." She lifted the first morsel to her mouth-and laid the fork down again with a weary sigh. "No: I can't eat; what has come to me?" With those words, she pushed her chair away from the t

posture, with her head down

nner in the kitchen produced a d

lready mentioned that he would not be home until seven o'clock.. There was no superior person in the house to consult. It was not for the servants

sal-with one exception. When the others ironically asked him if he was not accustomed to the mistress's temper yet, Mrs. Galli

ed Mr. Gallilee in making up his parcels, were all equally assured that there was a traitress among them-and that Marceline was the woman. Hitherto

cook's allusion to her birthplace in the Channel Islands. "The

say so before?"

r not to tell on him, till h

bet half-a-crown she changes her mind,

ss will forgive her," the parl

added, "she means to give th

at I'm going to do

? Didn't I say that I was no spy, and that I wouldn't submit to be made one? I would have left the house-I would!-but for Miss Carmina's kindness. Any other yo

ation, Marceline

ed, to "change her mind;" but to consider beforehand how much she sh

maid's mind. Strengthening, by the sympathy which it excited, her grateful attachment to Carmina, it had necessar

uld have trusted. "My good soul, I want to take the girls away quietly for change of air-you have got little secrets of your own, like me, haven't you?-and the fact is, I don't quite know how many petticoats-." There, he checked himself; conscious, when it was too late, that he was asking his wife's maid to help him in deceiving his wife. The ready Marceline helped him through the difficulty. "I understand, sir: my mistress's mind is much occupied-and you don't want to trouble her about this little journey." Mr. Gallilee, at a loss for any other answer, pulled out his purse. Marceline

what she should conceal, Marceline knocked at th

ooked up drowsily at the ceiling. Prepared to see a person with an overburdened mind, the maid (wi

eak a wor

ed fixed on the ceiling. "I

ume the forms of respect either in language or manner. "I wish to give you notic

d her head, and looked at

ou suspect one of us of helping my master to take away the young ladies' things-I me

ad back again on the chai

n blank surprise. Then, the terrible truth burst o

in myself." She held up one hand, outstretched; and counted her fingers with the other. "First my husband. Then my son. Now my maid. One, two, three. Mr. Null, do you know the proverb? 'I

osite side of the Square. He happened to be at home. When he reached the

TER

ice-found a gentleman, whom he knew by sight, walking up and down before his door; apparen

n appointment already. Mr. Null admitted that the clerks in the office had told him so, and said at last, what he ought to

tly led the way

of her mind," Mr. Null answered. Those words petrified the lawyer: he looked helplessly at the clerk-who, in his turn, looked indignantly at the office clock. Mr. Mool recovered himself. "Say I am detained by a most distressing circumstance; I wi

o have asked when they met at the house doo

re of the Earl

t-book? I am so upset by this dreadfu

ook, and wrote the address on a telegram. "Return directly: your wife is seriously ill." In five minutes more,

"I have had the two best opinions in London. Assuming that there is no heredit

t madness?" M

g symptom," he said. "They are inclined to attribute it to the strength of her constitution. I felt it my

ces," Mr. Mool interposed. "Are they in any wa

s if he had some strong persona

n that Mrs. Gallilee had been subjected to-I won't trouble you with medical language-let us say, to

idered that to

doctors agreed with Me, that it ha

me! If our way of removing the children had done

into which his agitation had betrayed him? Mr. Null did certainly look as

to me for Mr. Gallilee's addres

. "A very intelligent man," he answered, "reminded me that you were an old fri

fessional interests. He could gratify Mr. Null's curiosity w

d, cruising in their yacht. They were not able to receive Maria and Zoe at once. In the interval that elapsed-excuse my entering into particulars-our excellent friend had his own domestic reasons for arranging the-the sort of clandestine departure which did in fact take place. It was perhaps unwise on my part to consent-in short, I permitted some of the nece

n-with the air of a man who had removed every obstacle that cou

-cases, in which property is concerned, and reputation is at stake-or I would gladly go myself.

r. Mool had knowledge of law, and could on occasion be incited to energy. Mr. Gallilee had warm affections, which, being stimulated, could at least assert themselves. Mr. Null, professionally

is patient to see. Since the unfortunate alarm in the house

y in consultation. In her own abrupt way, the nurse

upboard door between us, how could I see him, or he see me? When I gave it a push-to, I no more knew where his hand was, than you do. If I meant anything, I meant to slap his face for prying about in my room. We've made out a writing between u

e is

nted to th

by me?" Mr. N

And we don't like her.

to the "other worry." "No nurse has any business he

armina's bedside. Even in the dim light, there was no

with an instinct which distrusts ability. Mr. Null never liked Miss Minerva. At the same time, he was a

a whisper. "I have been here for an hour. When I entered the room her face, poor dear, seemed to come to life again; she was able to exp

ollowed the short interval of exc

in sulky silence. Her eyes never moved; her hand showed no consciousness of his touch. Teresa opened the door, and looked in-impatiently eager to see the intruding nurse sent away. Miss Minerva invited her to return to her place at the bedside. "I only ask to occupy it," she s

y, "I mean to be heard." He followed her into the sitting-roo

sary for me to meet them in Paris. I owed Carmina a letter; but I had reasons for not writing until I knew whether she had, or had not, left London. With that object, I called this morning at her aunt's house. Y

in consultation with Doctor Ben

d her. "Dr. Benju

e!" Mr. Null asserted in

ned to wait until Do

Ovid?" she said to him, afte

est words possible. Even he obse

what he will see in that room? Who is to

atter is left in my hands," he announced. "I shall telegraph to him at Queenstown. When he comes home, he will find my

r. Mool had said already. She, too, felt for Ovid, when she thought of the cruel

said Mr. Null, "I shall t

she would take the hint, and go; and he now walked to the window, and looked out. She remained in h

in the house. She rose, and made an effort to propitiate him by shaki

wered. "It's a cold hand, on a wa

ull, and led the w

nt need of all that my devotion can do for her. If you are willing to release me from my duties for a short time, your sympathy and indulgence will not be thrown away on an ungrateful woman. If you cannot do me this favour, I ask y

the bedroom door. At last-in her inmost heart, she knew it-the victory over herse

ne. Doctor Benjulia had no time to spare:

ly modify the last prescription. We recognise the new symptoms, without feeling alarm." Having i

house? No: her travelling hat and her gloves were on the oth

persuaded into listening to her! What conceivable subject could there be, which offered two such women neutra

ry to ro

iss Minerva touched Carmina's hand, and spoke. "Have you heard th

oked-at her friend, and said,

iss Minerva continued,

mated. "I shall be able to

He is returning to you

rney still." She closed her eyes, too

ce. The jealous old nurse quietly moved nearer to her, and kissed her hand. "I'

rva left London, to wai

TER

old friend arrived from Scotland, to tell him what the c

ncapable of reciprocating or even of understanding his wishes. Absolute resistance was the one alternative left-and it was followed by distressing results. The kind-hea

ack-while Mr. Mool dragged him out again, and shut the door. The object of the doctors had been gained. His own eyes

London; but he was not left alone in the deserted house. The good lawyer had a spare room at his disposal; and Mrs. Mool and her daughters received him with true sympathy. Coming eve

pered, and she might have been ugly-I suppose I saw her in some other light myself." He had truly seen her unde

onnected with him might have a favourable influence. She smiled faintly

he made his inquiries for the future at the doo

the same roof with Carmina, he would leave it no more-until life gave her back to him, or death took her away. Hearing of what had been done, Mr. Gallilee removed to Ovid's rooms the writing-desk and

nly begun to make his daily inquiry, when the door on the

ilee: he asked in a whisp

s, and answered, "

d he be

ere afraid to follow

. Mr. Gallilee spoke to her kindly: she made no answer; she never even moved. "Worn out!"

hrank from it. Miss Minerva took his hand, and led him to a chair. "Ovid

n board the vessel?

es

id he

ke it entirely on myself. Something Mr. Null said to me, before I left London, suggested that I might help Ovid to understand me if I took the prescriptions to Queenstown. I ha

creature! Forgive me if I have d

ed me. Is there anythi

is one thing more," he said. "I

uld hear no details. 'I know enough,' he said, 'if I know that she is the person to blame. I was prepared to hear it. My mother's sile

for two considerations. He must see his stepson before he went back to Scotland; and he must search all the toy-shops in London for the most magnificent present that could be offered to a young person of ten years old. "Tell Ovid, with my love, I'll call

l called-anxious to kn

sed to disturb Ovid, even by sending up a message. Mr. Null took offence. "Understand, both of you," he said, "when I call to-morrow morning, I shall insist on g

m from upstairs. "We may be wrong in staying here," Miss Minerva

nued, she had the entire disposal of her time. The nurse accompanied her to the door; resigned to take refuge in the land

ll, looking towards the stairs, and listening anxi

TER

one hope had been reali

-even if she had looked up in his face. She was content to rest her head on his breast, and

he one expression left of all her joy and all her love. But it passed away as other lesser agitations had passed away. One l

aid. "How is it that I hear you now. Oh

"Don't be afraid, darli

et me say, what

, y

. "I may rest a li

held down by the he

eyes. They were dry eyes now! Those once tremulous nerves had gathered steady strength, on the broad prairies and in the roving life. Could trembling sorrow, seeking its way to the sources of tears, overbear the robust vitality that rioted in his blood, whether she lived or

houghts-but she did collect them. She wa

mother will care much what

iently spoken. "You will live," he said. "My Carmina

him. Quietly, persistently, she retu

ed with the dead! I once saw a picture-it was at home in Italy, I think-an English picture of a quiet little churchyard in the country. The shadows of the trees rested on the lonely graves. And some great poet had written-oh, such beautif

she thanked him,

the interval had passed. "My head is so s

le, she did

l present. Will you undo my gold cha

or my sake," she murmured. "Lift me up; I want to put them round your neck myself." She tried, vainly tried, to clasp

sai

me,

isse

all I want is rest." Looking at him fondly, her eyes closed little by little-then soft

ble beat. From time to time, he stooped and let the faint coming and going of her breath flutter on his cheek. The

TER

oke the spell, was the sound of

ad kindled a light. Some momentary doubt of him kept the nurse silent when h

s-he gave it up, and tried again. "I want to be alone," he sai

hand like a child, and led him downstairs to his rooms. H

s now," he asked, "

s together," th

have forgotten that there wa

pity for him. "Try to pra

n at the top of his speed. On and on, till the crowded houses began to grow more rare-till there were gaps of open ground, on either side of him-till the moon rose behind a plantation of trees, and bathed in its melancholy light a lonely high road. He followed the road till he was tired of it, and turned aside into a winding lane. The lights and shadows, alternating with each other, soothed and pleased him. He had got the relief in exercise that had been denied

e odour of tobacco wafted towards him on the c

n field behind it. There was the man, whose tobacco smoke h

ched to ask his way. The man suddenly stood up-stare

ut his voice answered for

me to see me

N

ou shake

N

's wr

wer until he had s

en Carmina

smoking. "An interesting c

ull," Ovid continued; "and you approved of

k I did!" Benj

t man; you let that poor girl go on from b

ected him. "No, no. For an e

mischief, which is your

"How do you mean to cure her?" he eager

or. You merciless villain-as certainly as that moon is

he had heard-spoken by a competent member of his own profession!-presented the old familiar alternative. "Drunk or mad?" he wondered while he lit his pipe again. Walking back to the hou

an, driving his cart towards London. The man civilly off

ed. Their account of Carmina, during his absence, contained nothing t

his own medical practice which might help him, by experience, in his present need. But he shrank-with Carmina's life in his hands-from trusting wholly to himself. A higher authori

ation which gave it a special

many years. Whatever faults and failings I may have been guilty of as a man, I am innocent, in my professional capacity, of ever having perpetrated the useless and detestable cruelties which go by the name of Vivisection. Without entering into any of the disputes on either side, which this practice has provoked, I

h was entitled "Brain Disease." The writer intro

to appearances presented by post-mortem examination, concludes his confession thus: 'We cannot even be sure whether many of the

es, after experie

y fall, or what unexpected opportunities of usefulness it may encounter after my death, I

were both cases of young women; each one having been hysterically affected by a serious moral shock; terminating, after a longer or shorter interval, in simulated paralysis. One of these cases I treated successfully. While I was still in attendance on the other, (pursuing the same course of treatment which eve

eliminary allusions to the medical treatment of the two girls-inexpressibly precious to him, in Carmina's present interests. The dawn

still to be relieved, be

shment. The little that he could hear of her voice, as she answered, made his heart ache-it was so faint and so low. Still she could sp

PTE

s step-son, Mr. Gallilee return

f her progress towards recovery. If the anticipation of saving her proved to be

ecovery might extend perhaps to the end of the year. But, if no accident ha

n, a few days later, in a cheerful tone, and to occupy his pen at Mr. Gallilee's ex

But his lively imagination (or perhaps I ought to say, his sense of his own consequence) has misled you when he also declar

s looking at the copies of my prescriptions in the chemist's book. Though he was old enough to be my father (he remarked) it see

that he made of his liberty of action, I must confess something relating to the prescriptions themselves. Don't be afraid of long and learne

e that chemists, in the writer's country, had either refused to make up certain prescriptions given in the wo

st to whom I sent. He refused to make up the medicine, unless I provide

he interests of my time and my temper) to write my more important prescriptions under reserve. That is to say, I followed the conventional ru

bject in view. 'I have sent them, (he informs me, in a second letter) to Doctor Benjulia; in order that he too may learn something in his profession from the master who has dispensed with our s

withstanding: he has done me a serv

l rivalry pursued in secret; the feeling showed itself again, when I met with him by accident on the night of my return to London. Since Mr. Null has communicate

o turn to matters of more interest-our dear Carmina is well enough to remember you, and

w a question of time and care. I mean fatigue

when she woke. She looked at me in amazement. 'Why didn't you warn me of your sudden return?'

o me-a letter which must have been lost (perhaps intercepted?), or I should have received it before I left Quebec. This forgetfulness of the dreadful trials through which my poor darling has passed,

other directions, with encouraging results, so far. But I shall not feel easy until I have tried further experiments, by means of some p

correspondent is just the sort of quaint child I want for the purpose. Kiss her

took place in the l

hich made the prospect of living there-without even the society of his children-unendurable to Mr. Gallilee. Ovid's house, still waiting the ret

e symptom remained. She was habitually silent. When she did speak, her mind seemed to be occupied with scientific subjects: she never mentioned her husband, or any other member of the

Gallilee received a circular in lithographed writing; accompanied by a roll

and has rendered amputation of two of my fingers necessary. Deprived for life of my professional resources, I have but one means of subsistence left-viz:--collecting subscriptions f

of circumstances-and then set forth for Lord Northlake's house. He

at the song under his friend's arm. "What's that you're taking such care

is stick on the pavement, as the nearest

cal's pocket! It's no merit of his that the poor old Italia

nately she showed the summons to me. I appeared for her, provided with a plan of the rooms which spoke for itself; and I put two questions to the complainant. What business had he in another person's room? and why was his hand in that other pe

TER

of Zo-brightened and developed by happy autumn days passed in Scotland-brought a deep flush to her face, and quickened the pulse which Ovid was touching, under pretence of holding her hand. Th

said, in a kiss, "te

y, "belongs to uncle Northlake. He

s it's no use having a will of your own where Zo is. When he intr

lly to the parental testimony. "You see he knows,

on. "Did you think of me, de

tell you what you'll see on the table? You'll see a big brown steaming bag in a dish-and you'll see me slit it with a knife-and the bag's fat inside will tumble out, all smoking

ith a child's happy abruptness, for which Ovid had been waiting.

"Who could forget the boy who sings

good one in its way. I've learnt a better in

N

her father. "Why didn't

armina asked who Donald was, and what he was like. Z

an errand at the grocer's and I went along with

an effort. "I know," she answered; "you told me Jos

gain. "When they put me into the

four sto

ld weighs fourteen.' Wh

on my lord's estate," he began, "comes of a Highland family, and

otch for snuff. He boos till he's nearly double when uncle Northlake speaks to him. Boos is Scotch for bows. He skirls on the pipes-skirls means screeches. When you first hear him, he'll make your stomach ache. You'

ing too keen for her strength; her bursts of laughter grew louder and louder-the wholesome limit of exc

ones?"

ittle ones

'em. Jolly boys-when they knock a girl do

pt to effect a diversion. Singing would be comparatively harmless in its effe

ong," Zo replied

ly sided with his step-son. "How she got among the men after dinner," he said, "nobody knows. Lady Northlake has forbidden Donald to teach h

n winks worthy of a low comedian. "I'm Donald," she announced: and burst out with the song: "We're gayly yet, we're gayly yet; We're not very fou, but we're gayly yet: Then sit ye awhile, and tippl

ments, stood before her. The convivial friend of Donald, the established Missus of Lord Northlake, disappeared-and a polite pupil took their place. "If you please

py to speak in any language but her own. "What does that mean?" Zo asked, settling her ruffled petticoats. "It means," said Teresa, who prided herself on her English, "Ah, my Jolly." This to a young lady who could slit a hag

is little sister's wishes. No more laughing, no more excitement, for that day. He led Zo

Zo desired to know who lived downstairs; and, hearing that these wer

her memory doesn't extend backwards. It begins with the shock to her brain, on the day when T

wandered. "Zo!" he called out, "

ting, blotted and interlined. Some of these leaves had overflowed the table, and found a resting-place on the floor. Zo was amusing herself by

n awful mess!" he exclaimed. "May I try if I can read a bit?" Ovid smiled. "Try by all means; you will make one

ve it up before he turned giddy.

nswered. "These ill-written lines are my offering of

ld me of, who d

es

mentioned

er his grave only bears his initials, and the date of his death. But," said Ovid, kindling with enthusiasm, as he laid his hand on his manuscript, "the dis

?" asked M

ing printed. You will see

m next. She now returned to Ovid, dragging after her a long white staff t

adian wood, my dear. Wo

en, three times as tall as herself-and shook her head. "I'm not big enough fo

a sound revolting to Ovid. "Don'

tickle me?" Ovid beckoned to her father. "Take her away

an's destiny had decreed that h

TER

to buy one of those wonderful Christmas Numbers-presenting year after year the same large-eyed ladies, long-legged lovers, corpulent children,

njoy their genial newspaper, before

asions when he returned to the house, he was always out of temper. If the servants knew nothing else, they knew what these s

-and the cook (successor to the unfortunate creature with prete

d an incomprehensible problem to his fellow-creatures. He subscribed to every medical publication in England-and he never read one of them! The footman cut the leaves; and the master, with his forefinger to help him, ran his eye up and down the pages; apparently i

tment, and for everything that the cook had done besides. "Whatever the master's working at," he announced, on returning to the kitchen, "he's farther away f

oom was empty; the master's hat was not on its peg in the hall; and the medical newspapers were scattered about in the wildest confusion. Close to the fende

re. This was dry reading. The footman tried the ot

ting to peoples' brains, it contained. There were some curious things said here-especially about a melancholy deathbed at a place called Montreal-which m

was truly, at Mrs. Gregg's heels, clamouring to have the horse put to in the gig, and to be driven to London instantly. He said, "Pay yourself what you please"-and opened his pocket-book, full o

once spoke-except to himself-a

but he had nevertheless given him the letter-and now it had ended in the letter turning out badly for Doctor Benjulia himself. Where he

man, in a violent hurry to buy Mr. Ovid Vere's new book. He said, by way of apology, that he was in that line himself, and that his name was Benjulia. The shopman knew him by reputation, and sold him the book. He w

Benjulia's Club found him in

finished his reading; but it seemed to make no difference. There he sat-wide awake-holding his closed book on his knee, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. This went on till it was time to close the Club. They were obliged to disturb him. He said nothing; and went slowly down

es beforehand. About eight o'clock in the morning, he rang for the waiter-who observed that his bed had not been slept in. All he wanted for breakfast was the strongest

. When he passed that way again, there was the gentleman still patrolling the street, and still looking towards the same house. The policeman waited a little, and watched. The place was a respectable lodging house, and the st

livery stables, and choose an open carriage. The sun was shining, and the air was brisk and dry,

he shoulder. He turned-and discovered Benjulia. On the point of speaking resentfully, he

you long; I want to know one

e is saf

r new mode o

ook had forestalled him in the discovery to which he had devoted his life. Was it possible to pity a man whose

a spoke

glect has not killed her-and you have no need to keep your word. But I don't get off, Mr. Ovid Vere, without paying the

tly offere

us protest of the man whom he had injured, spo

aid-and wa

rang the bell at Mr. Gallilee's door. The bell was answere

he house?"

to be let, if you please, as soo

is? I mean, Mr. Gall

ir, I'm not acquaint

next. "I'll go upstairs," he said suddenly; "I want to l

ou kindl

aight to th

One of them was covered with splashes of ink: varied here and there by barbarous caricatures of faces, in which dots and strokes represented eyes, noses, and mouths. He knew whose desk this was, and opened the cover of it. In the recess beneath were so

rs again. The polite old woman opened the door, curtsying deferentially. He gav

into the street, and looked at her with some

a confession of faith politely. "Yes, s

whether she is right?" he thought. "

t some accident had happened. Never before had they seen him so fatigued. He dropped helplessly into his chair; his gigantic body shook with shivering fits. The footman b

l of tobacco smoke came from the room; and he had let the day pass without going to the laboratory. These were portentous signs. The footman said to his fellow servants, "There's something

diately afterwards they heard him calling to the

en anticipating a sight of horror

d pen and ink on it, and was covered with writings. He spoke to them in his cus

ble there were three little heaps of money. "A month's wages for each of you," he explained, "in place of a month's warning. I wish you good luck." One of the women (the one who had suggested giving notice to leave) began to cry. He took no notice of this demonstration, a

above the signatures, and only occupied two lines: "I leave to Zoe, youngest daughter of Mr. John Gallilee, of Fairfield Gardens, London, everything absolutely of which I die po

er having been informed that they were to leave the ne

the master said; "and I want a

from the kitchen-these, the master and the man removed together; setting them down at the laboratory door. It was a still cold starligh

t!" said t

now more firmly persuaded than ever that something was wrong. In the hall, the women were

mps in the laboratory streaming through the open door, and the dark figure of the master coming and going, as he removed the objects left outside in

s ears might discover, now that his eyes were useless. He posted hi

sounds. Three smothered shrieks, succeeding each other at irregular intervals, made his blood run cold. Had three death-strokes been dealt on some suffering

oratory. The tall form of the master followed slowly, and stood revealed watching the flight of the animals. In a moment more, the last of the liberated creatures came out-a large dog, limping as if one of its legs was i

e was gone. The death shrieks o

one another: the servant waited, and watched him. The solitary man had a habit, well known to those about him, of speak

ore the silence was broken by th

leep, and went back into the laboratory. The last so

sentiment had a strange hold on his stupid mind; the remembrance of the poor wounded dog, companionable and forgiving under cruel injuries, cut into his heart like a knife. His thought at that momen

t for him. "Don't speak to me now," he said. "Get to your beds. An

for him when he w

he maimed creature found a refuge, on that bitter night? Again, and again, and again, the question forced its way into his mind. He could endure it no longer. Ca

word of welcome. The crippled animal could only have got to the door in one way; the gate which protected the house-enclosure must ha

o the enclosure he st

ng flame, and spouting showers of sparks, poured through the broke

insured, and that the deceased was in comfortable circumstances. Where were the motives? One intelligent man, who had drifted into the jury, was satisfied with the evidence. He held that the desperate wretch had some reason of his own for first poisoning himself, and then setting fire to the scene of his labours. Having a majority of eleven agai

TER

t little marriage was celebrated-without the knowledge of the neighbour

Ovid into a corner before they left the house. "She still looks delica

no devotion can regain. But the prospect has its bright side. Past events which might have cast their shadow ov

everybody, from the bride-groom downwards, by announcing that circumstances prevented her best and dearest friend from being present. She smiled and blushed as she took Ovid's arm. "When we are man and wife, and I am quite sure o

arriage: "When you return from the honeymoon, Carmina, I shall be the first friend who opens her arms and h

ng was celebrated. On that occasion the happy young mother betrayed a conjugal secret to her dearest f

shine-thanks to Zo. Polite Mr. Mool, bent on making himself agreeable to everybody, paid his court to Mr. Gallilee's yo

e. "That's all settled," she said

d! And who

nal

of yours," Mr. Mool said to his f

ed. "Has my message been g

ely thrown away on her," he answered, "as if she was still in the asylum. In

you se

And Ovid completes the round of ingratitude by marrying the girl who has behaved in this way.' I declare to you, Gallilee, that was how she put it! 'Am I to blame,' she said, 'for believing that story about my brother's wife? It's acknowledged that she gave the man money-the rest is a matter of opinion. Was I wrong to lose my temper, and say what I did say to this so-called niece of mine? Yes, I was wrong, there: it's the only case in which there is a fault to find with me. But had I no provocatio

said Mr. Gallilee, "

Mr. Mool rejoined. "If she needs money, the kindest man in the world has

which offered the most complete contrast to each

were Lord and Lady Northlake; Maria and Zo; Miss Minerva and Mr. Mool. Mr. Gallilee was present as one of the household. While he was in London, he and his children lived under Ovid's roof. When they went to Sco

which filled the street with carriages, and whic

m by the oxygen of respiration." Lectures and demonstrations went on all through the evening, all over the magnificent room engaged for the occasion. In one corner, a fair philosopher in blue velvet and point lace, took the Sun in hand facetiously. "The sun's life, my friends, begins with a nebulous infancy and a gaseous childhood." In another corner, a gentleman of shy and retiring manners converted "radiant energy into sonorous vibrations"-themselves converted into sonorous poppings by waiters and champagne bottles at the supper table. In the centre of the room, the hostess solved t

I'm a ha

E