r spirits been caused by the visit
to Mr. Mool? It was even so. The lawyer had innocently decided her on
taking the desperate course which Miss Minerva had proposed.

If Mrs. Gallilee's assertion of her absolute right of authority,
as guardian, had been declared by Mr. Mool to be incorrect, Carmina
(hopefully forgetful of her aunt's temper) had thought of a compromise.

She would have consented to remain at Mrs. Gallilee's disposal until
Ovid returned, on condition of being allowed, when Teresa arrived in
London, to live in retirement with her old nurse. This change of abode
would prevent any collision between Mrs. Gallilee and Teresa, and would
make Carmina's life as peaceful, and even as happy, as she could wish.

But now that the lawyer had confirmed her aunt's statement of the
position in which they stood towards one another, instant flight to
Ovid's love and protection seemed to be the one choice left--unless
Carmina could resign herself to a life of merciless persecution and
perpetual suspense.

The arrangements for the flight were already complete.

That momentary view of Mrs. Gallilee's face, reflected in the glass, had
confirmed Miss Minerva's resolution to interfere. Closeted with Carmina
on the Sunday morning, she had proposed a scheme of escape, which would
even set Mrs. Gallilee's vigilance and cunning at defiance. No pecuniary
obstacle stood in the way. The first quarterly payment of Carmina's
allowance of five hundred a year had been already made, by Mool's
advice. Enough was left--even without the assistance which the nurse's
resources would render--to purchase the necessary outfit, and to take
the two women to Quebec. On the day after Teresa's arrival (at an hour
of the morning while the servants were still in bed) Carmina and her
companion could escape from the house on foot--and not leave a trace
behind them.

Meanwhile, Fortune befriended Mrs. Gallilee's maid. No questions were
put to her; no notice even was taken of the late return.

Five minutes before the carriage drew up at the house, a learned female
friend from the country called, by appointment, on Mrs. Gallilee. On the
coming Tuesday afternoon, an event of the deepest scientific interest
was to take place. A new Professor had undertaken to deliver himself,
by means of a lecture, of subversive opinions on "Matter." A general
discussion was to follow; and in that discussion (upon certain
conditions) Mrs. Gallilee herself proposed to take