. Gallilee?'

"'In this respect. Your way of speaking to me implies an assertion of
equality--'

"'Stop a minute, madam! I am not so rich as you are. But I am at a
loss to know in what other way I am not your equal. Did you assert
your superiority--may I ask--when you came into my room without first
knocking at the door?'

"'Miss Minerva! Do you wish to remain in my service?'

"'Say employment, Mrs. Gallilee--if you please. I am quite indifferent
in the matter. I am equally ready, at your entire convenience, to stay
or to go.'

"Mrs. Gallilee's voice sounded nearer, as if she was approaching the
door. 'I think we arranged,' she said, 'that there was to be a month's
notice on either side, when I first engaged you?'

"'Yes--at my suggestion.'

"'Take your month's notice, if you please.'

"'Dating from to-morrow?'

"'Of course!'

"My aunt came out, and found me on the stairs. I tried to rise. It was
not to be done. My head turned giddy. She must have seen that I was
quite prostrate--and yet she took no notice of the state I was in.
Cruel, cruel creature! she accused me of listening.

"'Can't you see that the poor girl is ill?'

"It was Miss Minerva's voice. I looked round at her, feeling fainter and
fainter. She stooped; I felt her strong sinewy arms round me; she
lifted me gently. 'I'll take care of you,' she whispered--and carried me
downstairs to my room, as easily as if I had been a child.

"I must rest, Teresa. The remembrance of that dreadful night brings it
all back again. Don't be anxious about me, my old dear! You shall hear
more to-morrow."

CHAPTER XXVII.

On the next day events happened, the influence of which upon Carmina's
excitable nature urged her to complete her unfinished letter, without
taking the rest that she needed. Once more--and, as the result proved,
for the last time--she wrote to her faithful old friend in these words:

"Don't ask me to tell you how the night passed! Miss Minerva was the
first person who came to me in the morning.

"She had barely said a few kind words, when Maria interrupted us,
reminding her governess of the morning's lessons. 'Mrs. Gallilee has
sent her,' Miss Minerva whispered; 'I will return to you in the hour
before the children's dinner.'

"The next person who appeared was, as we had both anticipated, Mrs.
Gallilee herself.

"She brought me a cup of tea; and the first words she spoke were words
of apology for her conduct on the previous ni