. Never
Wrong exhibit the natural tendency of man to believe in himself, in the
most rampant stage of development that the world has yet seen. And when
you have done all this, doubt not that you have made a good use of your
time. You have discovered what the gentle wisdom of FARADAY saw and
deplored, when he warned the science of his day in words which should
live for ever: "The first and last step in the education of the judgment
is--Humility." Having agreeably occupied her mind with subjects that
were worthy of it, Mrs. Gallilee rose to seek a little physical relief
by walking up and down the room.

Passing and repassing the bookcases, she noticed a remote corner devoted
to miscellaneous literature. A volume in faded binding of sky-blue, had
been placed upside down. She looked at the book before she put it in
its right position. The title was "Gallery of British Beauty." Among the
illustrations--long since forgotten--appeared her own portrait, when she
was a girl of Carmina's age.

A faintly contemptuous smile parted her hard lips, provoked by the
recollections of her youth.

What a fool she had been, at that early period of her life! In those
days, she had trembled with pleasure at the singing of a famous Italian
tenor; she had flown into a passion when a new dress proved to be a
misfit, on the evening of a ball; she had given money to beggars in the
street; she had fallen in love with a poor young man, and had terrified
her weak-minded hysterical mother, by threatening to commit suicide
when the beloved object was forbidden the house. Comparing the girl of
seventeen with the matured and cultivated woman of later years, what a
matchless example Mrs. Gallilee presented of the healthy influence of
education, directed to scientific pursuits! "Ah!" she thought, as she
put the book back in its place, "my girls will have reason to thank me
when they grow up; they have had a mother who has done her duty."

She took a few more turns up and down the room. The sky had cleared
again; a golden gleam of sunlight drew her to the window. The next
moment she regretted even this concession to human weakness. A
disagreeable association presented itself, and arrested the pleasant
flow of her thoughts. Mr. Gallilee appeared on the door-step; leaving
the house on foot, and carrying a large brown-paper parcel under his
arm.

With servants at his disposal, why was he carrying the parcel himself?
The time had been, when Mrs. Gallilee