nature of his work, and the closeness of
his application, that he did not more often indulge in these Bohemian
wanderings.

Lucy, therefore, was not astonished when, on the morning after her visit
to Mrs. Jasher, the Professor announced in his usual abrupt way that
he intended to go to London, but would leave Cockatoo in charge of his
precious collection. She was somewhat disturbed, however, as, wishing to
forward the widow's matrimonial aims, she had invited her to dinner for
the ensuing night. This she told her step-father, and, rather to her
surprise, he expressed himself sorry that he could not remain.

"Mrs. Jasher," said Braddock hastily, drinking his coffee, "is a very
sensible woman, who knows when to be silent."

"She is also a good housekeeper, I believe," hinted Miss Kendal
demurely.

"Eh, what? Well? Why do you say that?" snapped Braddock sharply.

Lucy fenced.

"Mrs. Jasher admires you, father."

Braddock grunted, but did not seem displeased, since even a scientist
possessing the usual vanity of the male is not inaccessible to flattery.

"Did Mrs. Jasher tell you this?" he inquired, smiling complacently.

"Not in so many words. Still, I am a woman, and can guess how much
another woman leaves unsaid." Lucy paused, then added significantly:
"I do not think that she is so very old, and you must admit that she is
wonderfully well preserved."

"Like a mummy," remarked the Professor absently; then pushed back his
chair to add briskly: "What does all this mean, you minx? I know that
the woman is all right so far as a woman can be: but her confounded age
and her looks and her unexpressed admiration. What are these to an old
man like myself?"

"Father," said Lucy earnestly, "when I marry Archie I shall, in all
probability, leave Gartley for London."

"I know--I know. Bless me, child, do you think that I have not thought
of that? If you were only wise, which you are not, you would marry
Random and remain at the Fort."

"Sir Frank has other fish to fry, father. And even if I did remain at
the Fort as his wife, I still could not look after you."

"Humph! I am beginning to see what you are driving at. But I can't
forget your mother, my dear. She was a good wife to me."

"Still," said Lucy coaxingly, and becoming more and more the champion of
Mrs. Jasher, "you cannot manage this large house by yourself. I do not
like to leave you in the hands of servants when I marry. Mrs. Jasher is
very domesticated