th that girl in it! Nothing will frighten _my_ horses
to-day; and, fat as he is, _my_ coachman will not have a fit on the
box!"

It was only too true. At the appointed hour the carriage appeared
again--and (to complete the disappointment) Marceline had no report to
make.

Miss Minerva had not forgotten her promise. When she returned from
her walk with the children, the rooms had been taken. Teresa's London
lodging was within five minutes' walk of the house.

That evening, Carmina sent a telegram to Rome, on the chance that the
nurse might not yet have begun her journey. The message (deferring other
explanations until they met) merely informed her that her rooms were
ready, adding the address and the landlady's name. Guessing in the
dark, Carmina and the governess had ignorantly attributed the sinister
alteration in Mrs. Gallilee's manner to the prospect of Teresa's
unwelcome return. "While you have the means in your power," Miss Minerva
advised, "it may be as well to let your old friend know that there is a
home for her when she reaches London."

CHAPTER XXXVI.

The weather, to Carmina's infinite relief, changed for the worse the
next day. Incessant rain made it impossible to send her out in the
carriage again.

But it was an eventful day, nevertheless. On that rainy afternoon, Mr.
Gallilee asserted himself as a free agent, in the terrible presence of
his wife!

"It's an uncommonly dull day, my dear," he began. This passed without
notice, which was a great encouragement to go on. "If you will allows
me to say so, Carmina wants a little amusement." Mrs. Gallilee looked up
from her book. Fearing that he might stop altogether if he took his
time as usual, Mr. Gallilee proceeded in a hurry. "There's an afternoon
performance of conjuring tricks; and, do you know, I really think
I might take Carmina to see it. We shall be delighted if you will
accompany us, my dear; and they do say--perhaps you have heard of it
yourself?--that there's a good deal of science in this exhibition." His
eyes rolled in uneasy expectation, as he waited to hear what his wife
might decide. She waved her hand contemptuously in the direction of the
door. Mr. Gallilee retired with the alacrity of a young man. "Now we
shall enjoy ourselves!" he thought as he went up to Carmina's room.

They were just leaving the house, when the music-master arrived at the
door to give his lesson.

Mr. Gallilee immediately put his head out of the cab wind