weeks had passed without Jacquelina's finding an
opportunity to defy Dr. Grimshaw by attending the lectures against his
consent.

At the end of that time, on Sunday morning, it was announced in the
church that Mr. Willcoxen having returned to the county, would resume
his lectures on the Wednesday evening following. Dr. Grimshaw looked at
Jacquelina, to note how she would receive this news. Poor Jacko had been
under Marian's good influences for the week previous, and was, in her
fitful and uncertain way, "trying to be good." "As an experiment to
please you, Marian," she said, "and to see how it will answer." Poor
elf! So she called up no false, provoking smile of joy, to drive Grim
frantic, but heard the news of Thurston's arrival with the outward
calmness that was perfectly true to the perfect inward indifference.

"She has grown guarded--that is a very bad sign--I shall watch her
closer," muttered Grim behind his closed teeth. And when the professor
went home that day, his keen, pallid face was frightful to look upon.
And many were the comments made by the dispersing congregation.

From that Sunday to the following Wednesday, not one word was spoken of
Thurston Willcoxen or his lecture. But on Wednesday morning Dr. Grimshaw
entered the parlor, where Jacquelina lingered alone, gazing out of the
window, and going up to her side, astonished her beyond measure by
speaking in a calm, kind tone, and saying:

"Jacquelina, you have been too much confined to the house lately. You
are languid. You must go out more. Mr. Willcoxen lectures this evening.
Perhaps you would like to hear him. If so, I withdraw my former
prohibition, which was, perhaps, too harsh, and I beg you will follow
your own inclinations, if they lead you to go."

You should have seen Jacko's eyes and eyebrows! the former were dilated
to their utmost capacity, while the latter were elevated to their
highest altitude. The professor's eyebrows were knotted together, and
his eyes sought the ground, as he continued:

"I myself have an engagement at Leonardtown this afternoon, which will
detain me all night, and therefore shall not be able to escort you; but
Mrs. Waugh, who is going, will doubtless take you under her charge.
Would you like to go?"

"I had already intended to go," replied Jacquelina, without relaxing a
muscle of her face.

The professor nodded and left the room.

Soon after, Jacquelina sought her aunty, whom she found in the pantry,
mixing