uddenly mingled a sharp ring at 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 feeling strong emotion, unconnected with
champagne and the club! He presented a telegram to Carmina--and, when he
spoke, there were thrills of agitation in the tones of his piping voice.

"My dear, something very unpleasant has happened. I met Joseph taking
this to my wife. Highly improper, in my opinion,--what do you say
yourself?--to take it to Mrs. 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 himself, when he
made this latter statement--then relapsed into his customary sweetness
of temper. "No bad news?" he asked anxiously, when Carmina opened the
telegram.

"Good news! the best of good news!" she answered impetuously.

Mr. Gallilee looked as happy as if the welcome telegram had been
addressed to himself. On his way out of the room, he underwent another
relapse. The footman'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 under his mistress's orders. Mr.
Gallilee said--he actually said, without appealing to anybody--"If this
happens again, I shall be obliged to speak to my wife."

The telegram was from Teresa. It had been despatched from Paris that
evening; and the message was thus expressed:

"Too tired to get on to England by to-night's mail. Shall leave by the
early train to-morrow morning, and be with you by six o'clock."

Carmina's mind was exactly in the state to feel unmingled relief, at the
prospect of seeing the dear old friend of her happiest days. She laid
her head on the pillow that night, without a thought of what might
follow the event of Teresa's return.

VOLUME THREE

CHAPTER XLII.

The next day--the important Tuesday of the lecture on Matter; the
delightful Tuesday of Teresa's arrival--brought with it special demands
on Carmina's pen.

Her first letter was addressed to Frances. It was frankly and earnestly
written; entreating Miss Minerva to appoint a place at which they might
meet, and assuring her, in the most affectionate terms, that she was
still loved, trusted, and admired by her faithful friend. Helped by her
steadier flow of spirits, Carmin