as not yet equal to this demand on it.
"The progress is slow," he admitted, "still Miss Carmina is getting on."

"Is her aunt getting on?" Teresa asked abruptly. "When is Mistress
Gallilee likely to come here?"

"In a few days--" Mr. Null was about to add "I hope;" but he thought
of what might happen when the two women met. As it was, Teresa's face
showed signs of serious disturbance: her mind was plainly not prepared
for this speedy prospect of a visit from Mrs. Gallilee. She took a
letter out of her pocket.

"I find a good deal of sly prudence in you," she said to Mr. Null.
"You must have seen something, in your time, of the ways of deceitful
Englishwomen. What does that palaver mean in plain words?" She handed
the letter to him.

With some reluctance he read it.

"Mrs. Gallilee declines to contract any engagement with the person
formerly employed as nurse, in the household of the late Mr. Robert
Graywell. Mrs. Gallilee so far recognises 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
sparing her niece any agitation which might interfere with the medical
treatment. When the circumstances appear to require it, she will not
hesitate to exert her authority."

The handwriting told Mr. Null that this manifesto had not been written
by Mrs. Gallilee herself. The person who had succeeded him, in the
capacity of that lady's amanuensis, had been evidently capable of giving
sound advice. Little did he suspect that this mysterious secretary was
identical with an enterprising pianist, who had once prevailed on him to
take a seat at a concert; price five shillings.

"Well?" said Teresa.

Mr. Null hesitated.

The nurse stamped impatiently on the floor. "Tell me this! When she does
come here, will she part me from Carmina? Is that what she means?"

"Possibly," said prudent Mr. Null.

Teresa pointed to the door. "Good-morning! I want nothing more of you.
Oh, man, man, leave me by myself!"

The moment she was alone, she fell on her knees. Fiercely whispering,
she repeated over and over again the words of the Lord's Prayer: "'Lead
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.' Christ, hear me!
Mother of Christ, hear me! Oh, Carmina! Carmina!"

She rose and opened the door which communicated with the bedroom.
Trembling pitiably, she looked for a while at Carmina, peacefully
asleep--then turned away to