r eyes--smitten with pity for herself.

Emily tried the effect of a conciliatory reply. "I am grateful for your
kindness in offering to stay with me," she said.

"Very good of you, I'm sure," Mrs. Mosey answered ironically. "But for
all that, you persist in sending me away."

"I persist in thinking that there is no necessity for my keeping you
here until to-morrow."

"Oh, have it your own way! I am not reduced to forcing my company on
anybody."

Mrs. Mosey put her handkerchief in her pocket, and asserted her dignity.
With head erect and slowly-marching steps she walked out of the room.
Emily was left in the cottage, alone with her dying aunt.

CHAPTER XVI. MISS JETHRO.

A fortnight after the disappearance of Mrs. Ellmother, and the dismissal
of Mrs. Mosey, Doctor Allday entered his consulting-room, punctual to
the hour at which he was accustomed to receive patients.

An occasional wrinkling of his eyebrows, accompanied by an intermittent
restlessness in his movements, appeared to indicate some disturbance
of this worthy man's professional composure. His mind was indeed not at
ease. Even the inexcitable old doctor had felt the attraction which had
already conquered three such dissimilar people as Alban Morris, Cecilia
Wyvil, and Francine de Sor. He was thinking of Emily.

A ring at the door-bell announced the arrival of the first patient.

The servant introduced a tall lady, dressed simply and elegantly in dark
apparel. Noticeable features, of a Jewish cast--worn and haggard, but
still preserving their grandeur of form--were visible through her
veil. She moved with grace and dignity; and she stated her object in
consulting Doctor Allday with the ease of a well-bred woman.

"I come to ask your opinion, sir, on the state of my heart," she said;
"and I am recommended by a patient, who has consulted you with advantage
to herself." She placed a card on the doctor's writing-desk, and added:
"I have become acquainted with the lady, by being one of the lodgers in
her house."

The doctor recognized the name--and the usual proceedings ensued. After
careful examination, he arrived at a favorable conclusion. "I may tell
you at once," he said--"there is no reason to be alarmed about the state
of your heart."

"I have never felt any alarm about myself," she answered quietly. "A
sudden death is an easy death. If one's affairs are settled, it seems,
on that account, to be the death to prefer. My object was to settle