He opened the library door.

The learned lady was at her studies.
"I have been speaking to Mr.Null about you," said Mrs.Gallilee.
On the previous evening, Carmina had kept her room.

She had breakfasted in bed--and she now saw her aunt for the first time, since Mrs.Gallilee had left the house on her visit to Benjulia.

The girl was instantly conscious of a change--to be felt rather than to be realised--a subtle change in her aunt's way of looking at her and speaking to her.

Her heart beat fast.