ry. It was the first time
he had ever hinted at a shadow of perception that anything in his own
life had been amiss, and Ursula could not but feel a dreamy, hopeful
wonder whether her sweet little Alwyn could be the destined means of
doing that in which her mother had failed. It was at least enough to
quicken those prayers which had been more dutiful than trustful.

And then her hope sank again when she realised that her father's days
were spent between the lull of opiate, followed by a certain serenity,
then in a period of irritability, each being more or less prolonged,
according to health, weather, or entertainment, and closed again by the
sedatives in various forms. It relieved her indeed, but she felt it a
wickedness to be glad of the calm, and she was aware that the habit was
making inroads on her father's powers. Between that and his defect of
eyesight, he was often much confused, especially about money matters,
and was more and more dependent.

Would that it had been only upon her, but she was constantly certain
that Gregorio was taking advantage of his master's helplessness, and
keeping it up by all means in his power. Yet what could be done? For
the valet was absolutely necessary to his comfort, and yet she
sometimes thought her father half in dread of him, and afraid to
expostulate about personal neglects, which became more frequent.
Things, that would have enraged him from others, were only grumbled and
fretted over, when Gregorio caused him real inconvenience by absence or
forgetfulness, and made very insufficient apology. It seemed like a
bondage; Nuttie thought of her mother's efforts, and blamed herself in
vain.

It was during this journey that she heard of good Miss Headworth's
death. The old lady's mind had long failed, and the actual present
loss to Nuttie was not great; but it seemed to close a long account of
gratitude such as she had not thoroughly felt or understood before; and
the link with Micklethwayte was severed.

For Mark and Annaple prevailed on Mrs. Egremont to install Miss Nugent
as governess to Rosalind and Adela. In that capacity Nuttie hoped to
see a good deal of her; but of course was again disappointed, for her
father would not hear of returning to Bridgefield. It was draughty,
and dull, and desolate, and nothing suited him but London.

CHAPTER XXXII.

BLACKS IN THE ASCENDANT.

'Man's work ends with set of sun,
Woman's work is never done.'--Proverb.

I