ne her yourself, Mrs. Gallilee. I can answer for the result."

"No, Miss Minerva! I have too much confidence in you to do anything
of the kind. Besides, in one of the most important of Maria's
accomplishments, I am entirely dependent on yourself. I know nothing
of music. You are not responsible for her progress in that direction.
Still, I should like to know if you are satisfied with Maria's music?"

"Quite satisfied."

"You don't think she is getting--how can I express it?--shall I say
beyond the reach of Mr. Le Frank's teaching?"

"Certainly not."

"Perhaps you would consider Mr. Le Frank equal to the instruction of an
older and more advanced pupil than Maria?"

Thus far, Miss Minerva had answered the questions submitted to her with
well-concealed indifference. This last inquiry roused her attention.
Why did Mrs. Gallilee show an interest, for the first time, in Mr. Le
Frank's capacity as a teacher? Who was this "older and more advanced
pupil," for whose appearance in the conversation the previous questions
had so smoothly prepared the way? Feeling delicate ground under her, the
governess advanced cautiously.

"I have always thought Mr. Le Frank an excellent teacher," she said.

"Can you give me no more definite answer than that?" Mrs. Gallilee
asked.

"I am quite unacquainted, madam, with the musical proficiency of the
pupil to whom you refer. I don't even know (which adds to my perplexity)
whether you are speaking of a lady or a gentleman."

"I am speaking," said Mrs. Gallilee quietly, "of my niece, Carmina."

Those words set all further doubt at rest in Miss Minerva's mind.
Introduced by such elaborate preparation, the allusion to Carmina's name
could only lead, in due course, to the subject of Carmina's marriage.
By indirect methods of approach, Mrs. Gallilee had at last reached the
object that she had in view.

CHAPTER XXII.

There was an interval of silence between the two ladies.

Mrs. Gallilee waited for Miss Minerva to speak next. Miss Minerva waited
to be taken into Mrs. Gallilee's confidence. The sparrows twittered
in the garden; and, far away in the schoolroom, the notes of the piano
announced that the music lesson had begun.

"The birds are noisy," said Mrs. Gallilee.

"And the piano sounds out of tune," Miss Minerva remarked.

There was no help for it. Either Mrs. Gallilee must return to the matter
in hand---or the matter in hand must drop.

"I am afraid I have not made myself