understood," she resumed.

"I am afraid I have been very stupid," Miss Minerva confessed.

Resigning herself to circumstances, Mrs. Gallilee put the adjourned
question under a new form. "We were speaking of Mr. Le Frank as a
teacher, and of my niece as a pupil," she said. "Have you been able to
form any opinion of Carmina's musical abilities?"

Miss Minerva remained as prudent as ever. She answered, "I have had no
opportunity of forming an opinion."

Mrs. Gallilee met this cautious reply by playing her trump card. She
handed a letter to Miss Minerva. "I have received a proposal from Mr. Le
Frank," she said. "Will you tell me what you think of it?"

The letter was short and servile. Mr. Le Frank presented his best
respects. If Mrs. Gallilee's charming niece stood in need of musical
instruction, he ventured to hope that he might have the honour and
happiness of superintending her studies. Looking back to the top of the
letter, the governess discovered that this modest request bore a date of
eight days since. "Have you written to Mr. Le Frank?" she asked.

"Only to say that I will take his request into consideration," Mrs.
Gallilee replied.

Had she waited for her son's departure, before she committed herself
to a decision? On the chance that this might be the case, Miss Minerva
consulted her memory. When Mrs. Gallilee first decided on engaging a
music-master to teach the children, her son had disapproved of employing
Mr. Le Frank. This circumstance might possibly be worth bearing in mind.
"Do you see any objection to accepting Mr. Le Frank's proposal?" Mrs.
Gallilee asked. Miss Minerva saw an objection forthwith, and, thanks
to her effort of memory, discovered an especially mischievous way of
stating it. "I feel a certain delicacy in offering an opinion," she said
modestly.

Mrs. Gallilee was surprised. "Do you allude to Mr. Le Frank?" she
inquired.

"No. I don't doubt that his instructions would be of service to any
young lady."

"Are you thinking of my niece?"

"No, Mrs. Gallilee. I am thinking of your son."

"In what way, if you please?"

"In this way. I believe your son would object to employing Mr. Le Frank
as Miss Carmina's teacher."

"On musical grounds?"

"No; on personal grounds."

"What do you mean?"

Miss Minerva explained her meaning. "I think you have forgotten what
happened, when you first employed Mr. Le Frank to teach Maria and Zoe.
His personal appearance produced an unfavourable i