able. "Put the song there for the present.
I have a word to say first. How came you to frighten my niece? I heard
something like a scream, and naturally looked out. She was making an
apology; she asked you to forgive and forget. What does all this mean?"

Mr. Le Frank exhausted his ingenuity in efforts of polite evasion
without the slightest success. From first to last (if the expression
may be permitted) Mrs. Gallilee had him under her thumb. He was not
released, until he had literally reported Carmina's opinion of him as
a man and a musician, and had exactly described the circumstances under
which he had heard it. Mrs. Gallilee listened with an interest, which
(under less embarrassing circumstances) would have even satisfied Mrs.
Le Frank's vanity.

She was not for a moment deceived by the clumsy affectation of good
humour with which he told his story. Her penetration discovered the
vindictive feeling towards Carmina, which offered him, in case of
necessity, as an instrument ready made to her hand. By fine degrees, she
presented herself in the new character of a sympathising friend.

"I know now, Mr. Le Frank, why you declined to be my niece's
music-master. Allow me to apologise for having ignorantly placed you
in a false position. I appreciate the delicacy of your conduct--I
understand, and admire you."

Mr. Le Frank's florid cheeks turned redder still. His cold blood began
to simmer, heated by an all-pervading glow of flattered self-esteem.

"My niece's motives for concealment are plain enough," Mrs. Gallilee
proceeded. "Let me hope that she was ashamed to confess the total want
of taste, delicacy, and good manners which has so justly offended you.
Miss Minerva, however, has no excuse for keeping me in the dark. Her
conduct, in this matter, offers, I regret to say, one more instance of
her habitual neglect of the duties which attach to her position in my
house. There seems to be some private understanding between my governess
and my niece, of which I highly disapprove. However, the subject is too
distasteful to dwell on. You were speaking of your song--the last effort
of your genius, I think?"

His "genius"! The inner glow in Mr. Le Frank grew warmer and warmer.
"I asked for the honour of an interview," he explained, "to make a
request." He took up his leaves of music. "This is my last, and, I hope,
my best effort at composition. May I dedicate it--?"

"To me!" Mrs. Gallilee exclaimed with a burst of enthusia