,
there would be every chance of exciting some difference of opinion,
sufficiently irritating to begin the process of estrangement, by keeping
them apart when they had left the tea-table.

"It is most important that there should be no misunderstanding among
us," Mrs. Gallilee proceeded. "Let me set the example of speaking
without reserve. We all three know that Ovid persists in remaining in
London--"

She paused, on the point of finishing the sentence. Although she _had_
converted a Professor, Mrs. Gallilee was still only a woman. There did
enter into her other calculations, the possibility of exciting some
accidental betrayal of her governess's passion for her son. On alluding
to Ovid, she turned suddenly to Miss Minerva. "I am sure you will excuse
my troubling you with family anxieties," she said--"especially when they
are connected with the health of my son."

It was cleverly done, but it laboured under one disadvantage. Miss
Minerva had no idea of what the needless apology meant, having no
suspicion of the discovery of her secret by her employer. But to feel
herself baffled in trying to penetrate Mrs. Gallilee's motives was
enough, of itself, to put Mrs. Gallilee's governess on her guard for the
rest of the evening.

"You honour me, madam, by admitting me to your confidence"--was what she
said. "Trip me up, you cat, if you can!"--was what she thought.

Mrs. Gallilee resumed.

"We know that Ovid persists in remaining in London, when change of air
and scene are absolutely necessary to the recovery of his health. And we
know why. Carmina, my child, don't think for a moment that I blame you!
don't even suppose that I blame my son. You are too charming a person
not to excuse, nay even to justify, any man's admiration. But let us (as
we hard old people say) look the facts in the face. If Ovid had not seen
you, he would be now on the health-giving sea, on his way to Spain and
Italy. You are the innocent cause of his obstinate indifference, his
most deplorable and dangerous disregard of the duty which he owes to
himself. He refuses to listen to his mother, he sets the opinion of his
skilled medical colleague at defiance. But one person has any influence
over him now." She paused again, and tried to trip up the governess once
more. "Miss Minerva, let me appeal to You. I regard you as a member of
our family; I have the sincerest admiration of your tact and good sense.
Am I exceeding the limits of delicacy, if I say pla