e rest of the evening. There was not
a more appreciating and admiring hearer in the room than Jacquelina
affected to be. Her face was radiant, her eyes starry, her cheeks
flushed, her pretty lips glowing breathlessly apart--her whole form
instinct with enthusiasm. Any one might have thought the little creature
bewitched. But the fascinating orator need not have flattered
himself--had he but known it--Jacquelina neither saw his face nor heard
his words; she was seeing pictures of Grim's bitter jealousy,
mortification and rage, as he beheld her from his covert; she was
rehearsing scenes of what she meant to do to him. And when at last she
forgot herself, and clapped her hand enthusiastically, it was not at the
glorious peroration of the orator--but at the perfection of her own
little plot!

When the lecturer had finished, and as usual announced the subject and
the time of the next lecture, Jacquelina, instead of rising with the
mass of the audience, showed a disposition to retain her seat.

"Come, my dear, I am going," said Mrs. Waugh.

"Wait, aunty, I don't like to go in a crowd."

Mrs. Waugh waited while the people pressed toward the outer doors.

"I wonder whether the professor will wait and join us when we return
home?" said Mrs. Waugh.

"We shall see," said Jacquelina. "I wish he may. I believe he will. I am
prepared for such an emergency."

In the meantime, Thurston Willcoxen had descended from the platform, and
was shaking hands right and left with the few people who had lingered to
speak to him. Then he approached Mrs. Waugh's party, bowed, and
afterward shook hands with each member of it, only retaining Marian's
hand the fraction of a minute longest, and giving it an earnest pressure
in relinquishing it. Then he inquired after the health of the family at
Luckenough, commented upon the weather, the state of the crops, etc.,
and with a valedictory bow withdrew, and followed the retreating crowd.

"I think we can also go now," said Mrs. Waugh.

"Yes," said Jacquelina, rising.

Upon reaching the outside, they found old Oliver, with the sleigh drawn
up to receive them. Jacquelina looked all around, to see if she could
discover Thurston Willcoxen on the grounds; and not seeing him anywhere,
she persuaded herself that he must have hastened home. But she saw Dr.
Grimshaw, recognized him, and at the same time could but notice the
strong resemblance in form and manner that he bore to Thurston
Willcoxen, when it