rned to her room--to reflect on what she had heard from the
parlour-maid.

It was now plain that Mrs. Gallilee had not been allowed the opportunity
of dismissing her governess at a moment's notice: Miss Minerva's sudden
departure was unquestionably due to Miss Minerva herself.

Thus far, Carmina was able to think clearly--and no farther. The
confused sense of helpless distress which she had felt, after reading
the few farewell words that Frances had addressed to her, still
oppressed her mind. There were moments when she vaguely understood, and
bitterly lamented, the motives which had animated her unhappy friend.
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 morning of the
escape. For the first time, she was now tortured by distrust of Ovid's
reception of her; by dread of his possible disapproval of her boldness;
by morbid suspicion even of his taking his mother's part. Bewildered and
reckless, she threw herself on the sofa--her heart embittered against
Frances--indifferent whether she lived or died.

At dinner-time she sent a message, begging to be excused from appearing
at the table. Mrs. Gallilee at once presented herself, harder and colder
than ever, to inspect the invalid. Perceiving no immediate necessity for
summoning Mr. Null, she said, "Ring, if you want anything," and left the
room.

Mr. Gallilee followed, after an interval, with a little surreptitious
offering of wine (hidden under his coat); and with a selection of tarts
crammed into his pocket.

"Smuggled goods, my dear," he whispered, "picked up when nobody happened
to be looking my way. When we are miserable--has the idea ever occurred
to you?--it'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 would rather not? Just my feeling! Remarkable
similarity in our opinions--don't you think so yourself? I'm sorry for
poor Miss Minerva. Suppose you go to bed?"

Carmina was in no mood to profit by this excellent advice.

She was still walking restlessly up and down her room, when the time
came for shutting up the house. With the sound of closing locks and
bolts, there was s