ning a brougham
into a cab, whatever you may think, is an honest way of making it, and
I am not the first doctor who has coined his brougham at night. But if
there is a good deal of money to be made by sailing with Lord Tadcaster,
of course I should prefer that to cab-driving, for I have never made
above twelve shillings a night."

"Oh, as to that, she shall give you fifteen hundred a year."

"Then I jump at it."

"What! and leave ME?"

"Yes, love: leave you--for your good; and only for a time. Lady Cicely,
it is a noble offer. My darling Rosa will have every comfort--ay, every
luxury, till I come home, and then we will start afresh with a good
balance, and with more experience than we did at first."

Lady Cicely gazed on him with wonder. She said, "Oh! what stout hearts
men have! No, no; don't let him go. See; he is acting. His great heart
is torn with agony. I will have no hand in parting man and wife--no, not
for a day." And she hurried away in rare agitation.

Rosa fell on her knees, and asked Christopher's pardon for having been
jealous; and that day she was a flood of divine tenderness. She repaid
him richly for driving the cab. But she was unnaturally cool about Lady
Cicely; and the exquisite reason soon came out. "Oh yes! She is very
good; very kind; but it is not for me now! No! you shall not sail about
with her cub of a cousin, and leave me at such a time."

Christopher groaned.

"Christie, you shall not see that lady again. She came here to part us.
SHE IS IN LOVE WITH YOU. I was blind not to see it before."

Next day, as Lady Cicely sat alone in the morning-room thinking over
this very scene, a footman brought in a card and a note. "Dr. Staines
begs particularly to see Lady Cicely Treherne."

The lady's pale cheek colored; she stood irresolute a single moment. "I
will see Dr. Staines," said she.

Dr. Staines came in, looking pale and worn; he had not slept a wink
since she saw him last.

She looked at him full, and divined this at a glance. She motioned
him to a seat, and sat down herself, with her white hand pressing her
forehead, and her head turned a little away from him.

CHAPTER XIII.

He told her he had come to thank her for her great kindness, and to
accept the offer.

She sighed. "I hoped it was to decline it. Think of the misery of
separation, both to you and her."

"It will be misery. But we are not happy as it is, and she cannot bear
poverty. Nor is it fair she should,