Lecount, warn men
of my intellectual caliber not to measure themselves with a giant. May
I inquire," proceeded the captain, softly smoothing the way for future
intercourse with Sea-view Cottage, "whether you possess any scientific
memorials of the late Professor?"

"I possess his Tank, sir," said Mrs. Lecount, modestly casting her eyes
on the ground, "and one of his Subjects--a little foreign Toad."

"His Tank!" exclaimed the captain, in tones of mournful interest; "and
his Toad! Pardon my blunt way of speaking my mind, ma'am. You possess an
object of public interest; and, as one of the public, I acknowledge my
curiosity to see it."

Mrs. Lecount's smooth cheeks colored with pleasure. The one assailable
place in that cold and secret nature was the place occupied by the
memory of the Professor. Her pride in his scientific achievements,
and her mortification at finding them but little known out of his own
country, were genuine feelings. Never had Captain Wragge burned his
adulterated incense on the flimsy altar of human vanity to better
purpose than he was burning it now.

"You are very good, sir," said Mrs. Lecount. "In honoring my husband's
memory, you honor me. But though you kindly treat me on a footing of
equality, I must not forget that I fill a domestic situation. I shall
feel it a privilege to show you my relics, if you will allow me to ask
my master's permission first."

She turned to Noel Vanstone; her perfectly sincere intention of making
the proposed request, mingling--in that strange complexity of motives
which is found so much oftener in a woman's mind than in a man's--with
her jealous distrust of the impression which Magdalen had produced on
her master.

"May I make a request, sir?" asked Mrs. Lecount, after waiting a moment
to catch any fragments of tenderly-personal talk that might reach
her, and after being again neatly baffled by Magdalen--thanks to
the camp-stool. "Mr. Bygrave is one of the few persons in England who
appreciate my husband's scientific labors. He honors me by wishing to
see my little world of reptiles. May I show it to him?"

"By all means, Lecount," said Noel Vanstone, graciously. "You are
an excellent creature, and I like to oblige you. Lecount's Tank, Mr.
Bygrave, is the only Tank in England--Lecount's Toad is the oldest Toad
in the world. Will you come and drink tea at seven o'clock to-night? And
will you prevail on Miss Bygrave to accompany you? I want her to see my
house