ght. Her excuse was
that she had been 'harassed by anxieties which completely upset her.'
And--can you believe it?--she implored me not to mention 'the little
misunderstanding between us when I next wrote to her son!' Is this woman
made of iron and stone, instead of flesh and blood? Does she really
think me such a wretch as to cause Ovid, under any provocation, a
moment's anxiety while he is away? The fewest words that would satisfy
her, and so send her out of my room, were the only words I said.

"After this, an agreeable surprise was in store for me. The familiar
voice of good Mr. Gallilee applied for admission--through the keyhole!

"'Are you asleep, my dear? May I come in?' His kind, fat old face peeped
round the door when I said Yes--and reminded me of Zo, at dinner,
when she asks for more pudding, and doesn't think she will get it. Mr.
Gallilee had something to ask for, and some doubt of getting it, which
accounted for the resemblance. 'I've taken the liberty, Carmina, of
sending for our doctor. You're a delicate plant, my dear--' (Here,
his face disappeared and he spoke to somebody outside)--'You think
so yourself, don't you, Mr. Null? And you have a family of daughters,
haven't you?' (His face appeared again; more like Zo than ever.) 'Do
please see him, my child; I'm not easy about you. I was on the stairs
last night--nobody ever notices me, do they, Mr. Null?--and I saw Miss
Minerva--good creature, and, Lord, how strong!--carrying you to your
bed. Mr. Null's waiting outside. Don't distress me by saying No!'

"Is there anybody cruel enough to distress Mr. Gallilee? The doctor came
in--looking like a clergyman; dressed all in black, with a beautiful
frill to his shirt, and a spotless white cravat. He stared hard at me;
he produced a little glass-tube; he gave it a shake, and put it under
my arm; he took it away again, and consulted it; he said, 'Aha!' he
approved of my tongue; he disliked my pulse; he gave his opinion at
last. 'Perfect quiet. I must see Mrs. Gallilee.' And there was an end of
it.

"Mr. Gallilee observed the medical proceedings with awe. 'Mr. Null is a
wonderful man,' he whispered, before he followed the doctor out. Ill and
wretched as I was, this little interruption amused me. I wonder why I
write about it here? There are serious things waiting to be told--am I
weakly putting them off?

"Miss Minerva came back to me as she had promised. 'It is well,' she
said gravely, 'that the doctor has be