im to be desperate about anything."

"So much the better, I think," said her father. "What if he should want
to go with us to Venice?"

"Don't let him! We do not want him."

"He would be useful, I daresay. And I should have to take my secretary,
Dolly."

"Take that other fellow, the one I saw in your office to-day."

"What, Babbage? He's a raw article, Dolly, very raw. I put him there to
answer questions. The fellow was in a forlorn state here with nothing
to do."

They calmed down after a while; and the rest of the evening was largely
spent in considering plans and details of their projected movements. It
was agreed that Dolly should rejoin Mrs. Jersey the next day, to be
ready to return to Brierley with her; that then all preparations should
be made for a speedy start to the Continent. Father and daughter talked
themselves into ordinary composure, and when they had bid each other
good night, Dolly went to rest with a feeling of some hopefulness.

CHAPTER XVII.

RUPERT.

Mrs. Jersey could not leave town the next day. Dolly had to wait. It
was hard waiting. She half wished she had stayed that day also with her
father; yet when she asked herself why?--she shuddered. To take care of
him? to watch and keep guard over him? What use, for one day, when she
could do it no longer? Mr. Copley must be left to himself; and a
feeling of helplessness stole over her. From the momentary
encouragement and hope, she fell back again to take a more
comprehensive view of the subject; she saw that all was not gained yet,
and it might be that nothing! And she could do no more, except pray.
Poor Dolly did that; but the strain of fear, the horror of shame, the
grief of hurt affection, began to make her very sore. She was not
getting accustomed to her burden; it was growing more insupportably
galling; the only hope for the whole family lay in getting together and
remaining together, and in this journey taking Mr. Copley away from his
haunts and his tempters. Yet Dolly reflected with trembling that the
temptation, both temptations, would meet them on their way; if a man
desired to drink or to play, he would never be at a loss for the
opportunity or the companions. Dolly wrung her hands and prayed again.

However, something was gained; and Dolly on her return reported to her
mother that they were to set off for the Continent in a few days. She
brought down money, moreover, to pay off the servants; and with a heart
so far lightene