sm.

Mr. Le Frank felt the compliment. He bowed gratefully.

"Need I say how gladly I accept the honour?" With this gracious answer
Mrs. Gallilee rose.

Was the change of position a hint, suggesting that Mr. Le Frank might
leave her to her studies, now that his object was gained? Or was it an
act of homage offered by Science to Art? Mr. Le Frank was incapable
of placing an unfavourable interpretation on any position which a
woman--and such a woman--could assume in his presence. He felt the
compliment again. "The first copy published shall be sent to you," he
said--and snatched up his hat, eager to set the printers at work.

"And five-and-twenty copies more, for which I subscribe," cried his
munificent patroness, cordially shaking hands with him.

Mr. Le Frank attempted to express his sense of obligation. Generous Mrs.
Gallilee refused to hear him. He took his leave; he got as far as the
hall; and then he was called back--softly, confidentially called back to
the library.

"A thought has just struck me," said Mrs. Gallilee. "Please shut the
door for a moment. About that meeting between you and my niece? Perhaps,
I am taking a morbid view?"

She paused. Mr. Le Frank waited with breathless interest.

"Or is there something out of the common way, in that apology of hers?"
Mrs. Gallilee proceeded. "Have you any idea what the motive might be?"

Mr. Le Frank's ready suspicion was instantly aroused. "Not the least
idea," he answered. "Can you tell me?"

"I am as completely puzzled as you are," Mrs. Gallilee rejoined.

Mr. Le Frank considered. His suspicions made an imaginative effort,
assisted by his vanity. "After my refusal to teach her," he suggested,
"that proposal to shake hands may have a meaning--" There, his invention
failed him. He stopped, and shook his head ominously.

Mrs. Gallilee's object being attained, she made no attempt to help
him. "Perhaps, time will show," she answered discreetly. "Good-bye
again--with best wishes for the success of the song."

CHAPTER XXXV.

The solitude of her own room was no welcome refuge to Carmina, in her
present state of mind. She went on to the schoolroom.

Miss Minerva was alone. The two girls, in obedience to domestic
regulations, were making their midday toilet before dinner. Carmina
described her interview with Mrs. Gallilee, and her meeting with Mr. Le
Frank. "Don't scold me," she said; "I make no excuse for my folly."

"If Mr. Le Frank had left the hou