paused for expression, the little abdicated monarch took up the
broken thread.

"Thank you," said Nettie, rising suddenly; "I knew you were honest. It
is very good of you, too, to be glad to have me with you. You don't know
any better. I'm abdicated, Mr Chatham; but because it's rather startling
to have one's business taken out of one's hands like this, it will be
very kind of everybody not to say anything more to-night. I don't quite
understand it all just at this moment. Good-night, Dr Edward. We can
talk to-morrow, please; not to-night. You surely understand me, don't
you? When one's life is changed all in a moment, one does not exactly
see where one is standing just at once. Good-night. I mean what I say,"
she continued, holding her head high with restrained excitement, and
trying to conceal the nervous agitation which possessed her as the
doctor hastened before her to open the door. "Don't come after me,
please; don't say anything; I cannot bear any more to-night."

"But to-morrow," said the doctor, holding fast the trembling hand. Nettie
was too much overstrained and excited to speak more. A single sudden sob
burst from her as she drew her hand out of his, and disappeared like a
flying sprite. The doctor saw the heaving of her breast, the height of
self-restraint which could go no further. He went back into the parlour
like a true lover, and spied no more upon Nettie's hour of weakness.
Without her, it looked a vulgar scene enough in that little sitting-room,
from which the smoke of Fred's pipe had never fairly disappeared, and
where Fred himself had lain in dismal state. Dr Rider said a hasty
good-night to Fred's successor, and went off hurriedly into the changed
world which surrounded that unconscious cottage. Though the frost had
not relaxed, and the air breathed no balm, no sudden leap from December
to June could have changed the atmosphere so entirely to the excited
wayfarer who traced back the joyful path towards the lights of Carlingford
twinkling brilliant through the Christmas frost. As he paused to look
back upon that house which now contained all his hopes, a sudden shadow
appeared at a lighted window, looking out. Nettie could not see the
owner of the footsteps which moved her to that sudden involuntary
expression of what was in her thoughts, but he could see her standing
full in the light, and the sight went to the doctor's heart. He took off
his hat insanely in the darkness and waved his hand to her