ing suddenly at a decision, he snatched up his hat, and turned to
Emily in a hurry.

"I bring you news, my dear, which will surprise you. Who do you think
has just left my house? Mrs. Ellmother! Don't interrupt me. She has
made up her mind to go out to service again. Tired of leading an
idle life--that's her own account of it--and asks me to act as her
reference."

"Did you consent?"

"Consent! If I act as her reference, I shall be asked how she came
to leave her last place. A nice dilemma! Either I must own that she
deserted her mistress on her deathbed--or tell a lie. When I put it to
her in that way, she walked out of the house in dead silence. If she
applies to you next, receive her as I did--or decline to see her, which
would be better still."

"Why am I to decline to see her?"

"In consequence of her behavior to your aunt, to be sure! No: I have
said all I wanted to say--and I have no time to spare for answering idle
questions. Good-by."

Socially-speaking, doctors try the patience of their nearest and dearest
friends, in this respect--they are almost always in a hurry. Doctor
Allday's precipitate departure did not tend to soothe Emily's irritated
nerves. She began to find excuses for Mrs. Ellmother in a spirit of pure
contradiction. The old servant's behavior might admit of justification:
a friendly welcome might persuade her to explain herself. "If she
applies to me," Emily determined, "I shall certainly receive her."

Having arrived at this resolution, her mind reverted to Alban.

Some of the sharp things she had said to him, subjected to
after-reflection in solitude, failed to justify themselves. Her better
sense began to reproach her. She tried to silence that unwelcome monitor
by laying the blame on Alban. Why had he been so patient and so good?
What harm was there in his calling her "Emily"? If he had told her to
call _him_ by his Christian name, she might have done it. How noble he
looked, when he got up to go away; he was actually handsome! Women may
say what they please and write what they please: their natural instinct
is to find their master in a man--especially when they like him. Sinking
lower and lower in her own estimation, Emily tried to turn the current
of her thoughts in another direction. She took up a book--opened it,
looked into it, threw it across the room.

If Alban had returned at that moment, resolved on a reconciliation--if
he had said, "My dear, I want to see you like yoursel