would have tapped at the window,
and would have insisted on his instantly returning and answering the
question. But his conduct, since the catastrophe in Carmina's room,
had produced a complete estrangement between the married pair. All his
inquiries after his wife's health had been made by deputy. When he was
not in the schoolroom with the children, he was at his club. Until he
came to his senses, and made humble apology, no earthly consideration
would induce Mrs. Gallilee to take the slightest notice of him.

She returned to her reading.

The footman came in, with two letters--one arriving by post; the other
having been dropped into the box by private messenger. Communications
of this latter sort proceeded, not unfrequently, from creditors. Mrs.
Gallilee opened the stamped letter first.

It contained nothing more important than a few lines from a daily
governess, whom she had engaged until a successor to Miss Minerva could
be found. In obedience to Mrs. Gallilee's instructions, the governess
would begin her attendance at ten o'clock on the next morning.

The second letter was of a very different kind. It related the disaster
which had befallen Mr. Le Frank.

Mr. Null was the writer. As Miss Carmina's medical attendant, it was
his duty to inform her guardian that her health had been unfavourably
affected by an alarm in the house. Having described the nature of the
alarm, he proceeded in these words: "You will, I fear, lose the services
of your present music-master. Inquiries made this morning at the
hospital, and reported to me, appear to suggest serious results. The
wounded man's constitution is in an unhealthy state; the surgeons are
not sure of being able to save two of the fingers. I will do myself the
honour of calling to-morrow before you go out for your drive."

The impression produced by this intelligence on the lady to whom it was
addressed, can only be reported in her own words. She--who knew, on the
best scientific authority, that the world had created itself--completely
lost her head, and actually said, "Thank God!"

For weeks to come--perhaps for months if the surgeons' forebodings were
fulfilled--Mrs. Gallilee had got rid of Mr. Le Frank. In that moment
of infinite relief, if her husband had presented himself, it is even
possible that he might have been forgiven.

As it was, Mr. Gallilee returned late in the afternoon; entered his
own domain of the smoking-room; and left the house again five minut