ourman? Not a very lucrative business, I should
think. Has his widow any resources of her own?"

"My purse is hers!"

"Very generous, I am sure! Even the humblest lodgings are dear in this
neighbourhood. However--with your assistance--your old servant may be
able to live somewhere near you."

Having settled the question of Teresa's life in London in this way,
Mrs. Gallilee returned to the prime object of her suspicion--she took
possession of the travelling bag.

Carmina looked at her with the submission of utter bewilderment. Teresa
had been the companion of her life; Teresa had been received as her
attendant, when she was first established under her aunt's roof. She had
assumed that her nurse would become a member of the household again, as
a matter of course. With Teresa to encourage her, she had summoned the
resolution to live with Ovid's mother, until Ovid came back. And now she
had been informed, in words too plain to be mistaken, that Teresa
must find a home for herself when she returned to London! Surprise,
disappointment, indignation held Carmina speechless.

"This thing," Mrs. Gallilee proceeded, holding up the bag, "will only be
in your way here. I will have it put with our own bags and boxes, in
the lumber-room. And, by-the-bye, I fancy you don't quite understand
(naturally enough, at your age) our relative positions in this house.
My child, the authority of your late father is the authority which
your guardian holds over you. I hope never to be obliged to exercise
it--especially, if you will be good enough to remember two things. I
expect you to consult me in your choice of companions; and to wait for
my approval before you make arrangements which--well! let us say, which
require the bag to be removed from the lumber-room."

Without waiting for a reply, she turned to the door. After opening it,
she paused--and looked back into the room.

"Have you thought of what I told you, last night?" she asked.

Sorely as they had been tried, Carmina's energies rallied at this. "I
have done my best to forget it!" she answered.

"At Miss Minerva's request?"

Carmina took no notice of the question.

Mrs. Gallilee persisted. "Have you had any communication with that
person?"

There was still no reply. Preserving her temper, Mrs. Gallilee stepped
out on the landing, and called to Miss Minerva. The governess answered
from the upper floor.

"Please come down here," said Mrs. Galilee.

Miss Minerva obeyed. Her