t I mean to do!"

The prospect of being revenged on Teresa revived her. For the moment, at
least, she almost looked like herself again.

Mr. Null turned over to a new leaf, with a hand that trembled a little.
The dictating voice pronounced these words:

"I forbid the woman Teresa to act in the capacity of nurse to Miss
Carmina, and even to enter the room in which that young lady is now
lying ill. I further warn this person, that my niece will be restored to
my care, the moment her medical attendants allow her to be removed.
And I desire my legal advisers to assert my authority, as guardian,
to-morrow morning."

Mr. Null finished his task in silent dismay. He took out his
handkerchief and wiped his forehead.

"Is there any very terrible effort required in saying those few
words--even to a shattered creature like me?" Mrs. Gallilee asked
bitterly. "Let me hear that the lawyers have got their instructions,
when you come to-morrow; and give me the name and address of a nurse
whom you can thoroughly recommend. Good-night!"

At last, Mr. Null got away. As he softly closed the dressing-room door,
the serious question still dwelt on his mind: What would Teresa do?

CHAPTER XLVIII.

Even in the welcome retirement of the school-room, Mr. Gallilee's mind
was not at ease. He was troubled by a question entirely new to him--the
question of himself, in the character of husband and father.

Accustomed through long years of conjugal association to look up to his
wife as a superior creature, he was now conscious that her place in his
estimation had been lost, beyond recovery. If he considered next what
ought to be done with Maria and Zo, 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 confidence
and respect. He pondered over it in the schoolroom; he pondered over it
when he went to bed. On the next morning, he arrived at a conclusion in
the nature of a compromise. He decided on applying to his good friend,
Mr. Mool, for a word of advice.

His first proceeding was to call at Teresa's lodgings, in the hope of
hearing better news of Carmina.

The melancholy report of her was expressed in two words: No change. He
was so distressed that he asked to see the landlady; and tried, in his
own helpless kindhearted way, to get a little hopeful inf