odgers were saying, "Send him to
the hospital."

CHAPTER LIV.

On Monday morning, the strain on Mrs. Gallilee's powers of patient
endurance came to an end. With the help of Mr. Null's arm, she was
able to get downstairs to the library. On Tuesday, there would be no
objection to her going out for a drive. Mr. Null left her, restored to
her equable flow of spirits. He had asked if she wished to have somebody
to keep her company--and she had answered briskly, "Not on any account!
I prefer being alone."

On the morning of Saturday, she had received Mr. Le Frank's letter; but
she had not then recovered sufficiently to be able to read it through.
She could now take it up again, and get to the end.

Other women might have been alarmed by the atrocious wickedness of the
conspiracy which the music-master had planned. Mrs. Gallilee was only
offended. That he should think her capable--in her social position--of
favouring such a plot as he had suggested, was an insult which she
was determined neither to forgive nor forget. Fortunately, she had not
committed herself in writing; he could produce no proof of the relations
that had existed between them. The first and best use to make of her
recovery would be to dismiss him--after paying his expenses, privately
and prudently, in money instead of by cheque.

In the meantime, the man's insolence had left its revolting impression
on her mind. The one way to remove it was to find some agreeable
occupation for her thoughts.

Look at your library table, learned lady, and take the appropriate means
of relief that it offers. See the lively modern parasites that infest
Science, eager to invite your attention to their little crawling selves.
Follow scientific inquiry, rushing into print to proclaim its own
importance, and to declare any human being, who ventures to doubt or
differ, a fanatic or a fool. Respect the leaders of public opinion,
writing notices of professors, who have made discoveries not yet tried
by time, not yet universally accepted even by their brethren, in terms
which would be exaggerated if they were applied to Newton or to Bacon.
Submit to lectures and addresses by dozens which, if they prove nothing
else, prove that what was scientific knowledge some years since; is
scientific ignorance now--and that what is scientific knowledge now,
may be scientific ignorance in some years more. Absorb your mind in
controversies and discussions, in which Mr. Always Right and Mr