use the child
was dead. "Oh, Ferdinand, speak one kind word to me now," she said.

"What kind word can I speak when you have told me that you do not
love me? Do you think that I can forget that because--because he has
gone?"

"A woman's love may always be won back again by kindness."

"Psha! How am I to kiss and make pretty speeches with my mind
harassed as it is now?" But he did touch her brow with his lips
before he went away.

The infant was buried, and then there was not much show of mourning
in the house. The poor mother would sit gloomily alone day after day,
telling herself that it was perhaps better that she should have been
robbed of her treasure than have gone forth with him into the wide,
unknown, harsh world with such a father as she had given him. Then
she would look at all the preparations she had made,--the happy
work of her fingers when her thoughts of their future use were her
sweetest consolation,--and weep till she would herself feel that
there never could be an end to her tears.

The second week in January had come and yet nothing further had been
settled as to this Guatemala project. Lopez talked about it as though
it was certain, and even told his wife that as they would move so
soon it would not be now worth while for him to take other lodgings
for her. But when she asked as to her own preparations,--the wardrobe
necessary for the long voyage and her general outfit,--he told her
that three weeks or a fortnight would be enough for all, and that he
would give her sufficient notice. "Upon my word he is very kind to
honour my poor house as he does," said Mr. Wharton.

"Papa, we will go at once if you wish it," said his daughter.

"Nay, Emily; do not turn upon me. I cannot but be sensible to the
insult of his daily presence; but even that is better than losing
you."

Then there occurred a ludicrous incident,--or combination of
incidents,--which, in spite of their absurdity, drove Mr. Wharton
almost frantic. First there came to him the bill from Messrs. Stewam
and Sugarscraps for the dinner. At this time he kept nothing back
from his daughter. "Look at that!" he said. The bill was absolutely
made out in his name.

"It is a mistake, papa."

"Not at all. The dinner was given in my house, and I must pay for
it. I would sooner do so than that he should pay it,--even if he had
the means." So he paid Messrs. Stewam and Sugarscraps L25 9s. 6d.,
begging them as he did so never to send another dinn