me since by Mr. Mills Happerton. There were mines in
Guatemala which wanted, or at some future day might want, a resident
director. The proposition had been made to Lopez before his marriage,
and Mr. Happerton probably had now forgotten all about it;--but the
thing was of service now. He broke the matter very suddenly to his
wife. "Has your father been speaking to you of my plans?"

"Not lately;--not that I remember."

"He could not speak of them without your remembering, I should think.
Has he told you that I am going to Guatemala?"

"Guatemala! Where is Guatemala, Ferdinand?"

"You can answer my question though your geography is deficient."

"He has said nothing about your going anywhere."

"You will have to go,--as soon after Christmas as you may be fit."

"But where is Guatemala;--and for how long, Ferdinand?"

"Guatemala is in Central America, and we shall probably settle there
for the rest of our lives. I have got nothing to live on here."

During the next two months this plan of seeking a distant home and a
strange country was constantly spoken of in Manchester Square, and
did receive corroboration from Mr. Happerton himself. Lopez renewed
his application and received a letter from that gentleman saying
that the thing might probably be arranged if he were in earnest.
"I am quite in earnest," Lopez said as he showed this letter to Mr.
Wharton. "I suppose Emily will be able to start two months after her
confinement. They tell me that babies do very well at sea."

During this time, in spite of his threat, he continued to live
with Mr. Wharton in Manchester Square, and went every day into the
city,--whether to make arrangements and receive instructions as to
Guatemala, or to carry on his old business, neither Emily nor her
father knew. He never at this time spoke about his affairs to either
of them, but daily referred to her future expatriation as a thing
that was certain. At last there came up the actual question,--whether
she were to go or not. Her father told her that though she was
doubtless bound by law to obey her husband, in such a matter as this
she might defy the law. "I do not think that he can actually force
you on board the ship," her father said.

"But if he tells me that I must go?"

"Stay here with me," said the father. "Stay here with your baby. I'll
fight it out for you. I'll so manage that you shall have all the
world on your side."

Emily at that moment came to no decision, but on th