ndeed, after he had approved
of Mr. Null's medical treatment?)

"There's one thing you have forgotten," Teresa persisted. "You haven't
asked him when Carmina can be moved."

"My good woman, if I had put such a question, he would have set me down
as a fool! Nobody can say when she will be well enough to be moved."

He took his hat. The nurse followed him out.

"Are you going to Mrs. Gallilee, sir?"

"Not to-day."

"Is she better?"

"She is almost well again."

CHAPTER LIII.

Left alone, Teresa went into the sitting-room: she was afraid to show
herself at the bedside.

Mr. Null had destroyed the one hope which had supported her thus
far--the hope of escaping from England with Carmina, before Mrs.
Gallilee could interfere. Looking steadfastly at that inspiriting
prospect, she had forced herself to sign the humble apology and
submission which the lawyers 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 crying. Happily for herself, she
was unable to control her own weakness; the tears lightened her heavy
heart. She waited a little, in the fear that her eyes might betray her,
before she returned to Carmina. In that interval, she heard the sound of
a closing door, on the floor above.

"The music-master!" she said to herself.

In an instant, she was at the sitting-room door, looking through the
keyhole. It was the one safe way of watching him--and that was enough
for Teresa.

His figure appeared suddenly within her narrow range of view--on the
mat outside the door. If her distrust of him was without foundation,
he would go on downstairs. No! He stopped on the mat to listen--he
stooped--his eye would have been at the keyhole in another moment.

She seized a chair, and moved it. The sound instantly drove him away. He
went on, down the stairs.

Teresa considered with herself what safest means of protection--and, if
possible, of punishment as well--lay within her reach. How, and where,
could the trap be set that might catch him?

She was still puzzled by that question, when the landlady made her
appearance--politely anxious to hear what the doctors thought of their
patient. Satisfied so far, the wearisome woman had her apologies to make
next, for not having yet cautioned Mr.