n's uneasiness was reflected in Mr. Mool's face. A visit from
Carmina, at his private residence, could have no ordinary motive. The
fear instantly occurred to him that Mrs. Gallilee might have spoken to
her of her mother.

Before he opened the drawing-room door, this alarm passed away. He heard
Carmina talking with his wife and daughters.

"May I say one little word to you, Mr. Mool?"

He took her into his study. She was shy and confused, but certainly
neither angry nor distressed.

"My aunt sends me out every day, when it's fine, for a drive," she said.
"As the carriage passed close by, I thought I might ask you a question."

"Certainly, my dear! As many questions as you please."

"It's about the law. My aunt says she has the authority over me now,
which my dear father had while he was living. Is that true?"

"Quite true."

"For how long is she my guardian?"

"Until you are twenty-one years old."

The faint colour faded from Carmina's face. "More than three years
perhaps to suffer!" she said sadly.

"To suffer? What do you mean, my dear?"

She turned paler still, and made no reply. "I want to ask one thing
more?" she resumed, in sinking tones. "Would my aunt still be my
guardian--supposing I was married?"

Mr. Mool answered this, with his eyes fixed on her in grave scrutiny.

"In that case, your husband is the only person who has any authority
over you. These are rather strange questions, Carmina. Won't you take me
into your confidence?"

In sudden agitation she seized his hand and kissed it. "I must go!" she
said. "I have kept the carriage waiting too long already."

She ran out, without once looking back.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

Mrs. Gallilee's maid looked at her watch, when the carriage left Mr.
Mool's house. "We shall be nearly an hour late, before we get home," she
said.

"It's my fault, Marceline. Tell your mistress the truth, if she
questions you. I shall not think the worse of you for obeying your
orders."

"I'd rather lose my place, Miss, than get you into trouble."

The woman spoke truly, Carmina's sweet temper had made her position not
only endurable, but delightful: she had been treated like a companion
and a friend. But for that circumstance--so keenly had Marceline felt
the degradation of being employed as a spy--she would undoubtedly have
quitted Mrs. Gallilee's service.

On the way home, instead of talking pleasantly as usual, Carmina was
silent and sad. Had this change in he