wife's
conviction--accepts the prophecy. As for me, I am prepared for the
result. It will end in our going to the New World, and trying Society in
its infancy, among the forests and the plains. I shall quietly prepare
for our departure, and own what I have done at the right time--that is
to say, when the ball is over."

FOURTH EXTRACT.

"I have met with the man for my purpose--an old college friend of mine,
now partner in a firm of ship-owners, largely concerned in emigration.

"One of their vessels sails for America, from the port of London, in
a fortnight, touching at Plymouth. By a fortunate coincidence, Lady
Janet's ball takes place in a fortnight. I see my way.

"Helped by the kindness of my friend, I have arranged to have a cabin
kept in reserve, on payment of a small deposit. If the ball ends (as I
believe it will) in new mortifications for Mercy--do what they may, I
defy them to mortify _me_--I have only to say the word by telegraph, and
we shall catch the ship at Plymouth.

"I know the effect it will have when I break the news to her, but I am
prepared with my remedy. The pages of my diary, written in past years,
will show plainly enough that it is not _she_ who is driving me away
from England. She will see the longing in me for other work and other
scenes expressing itself over and over again long before the time when
we first met."

FIFTH EXTRACT.

"Mercy's ball dress--a present from kind Lady Janet--is finished. I was
allowed to see the first trial, or preliminary rehearsal, of this work
of art. I don't in the least understand the merits of silk and lace; but
one thing I know--my wife will be the most beautiful woman at the ball.

"The same day I called on Lady Janet to thank her, and encountered a new
revelation of the wayward and original character of my dear old aunt.

"She was on the point of tearing up a letter when I went into her room.
Seeing me, she suspended her purpose and handed me the letter. It was in
Mercy's handwriting. Lady Janet pointed to a passage on the last page.
'Tell your wife, with my love,' she said, 'that I am the most obstinate
woman of the two. I positively refuse to read her, as I positively
refuse to listen to her, whenever she attempts to return to that one
subject. Now give me the letter back.' I gave it back, and saw it torn
up before my face. The 'one subject' prohibited to Mercy as sternly as
ever is still the subject of the personation of Grace Roseberry! Nothing