She took almost as much pains with it as if she had been going into the presence of Ovid himself.

"I must make a calm appearance," she thought, still as far as ever from suspecting that her employer had guessed her secret, "or his mother may find me out." Her knees trembled under her.

She sat down for a minute to rest.
Was she merely wanted for some ordinary domestic consultation?
or was there really a chance of hearing the question of Ovid and Carmina brought forward at the coming interview?
She believed what she hoped: she believed that the time had come when Mrs.Gallilee had need of an ally--perhaps of an accomplice.

Only let her object be the separation of the two cousins--and Miss Minerva was eager to help her, in either capacity.

Suppose she was too cautious to mention her object?
Miss Minerva was equally ready for her employer, in that case.