CHAPTER XLVIII.
Even in the welcome retirement of the school-room, Mr.Gallilee's mind was not at ease.

He was troubled by a question entirely new to him--the question of himself, in the character of husband and father.
Accustomed through long years of conjugal association to look up to his wife as a superior creature, he was now conscious that her place in his estimation had been lost, beyond recovery.

If he considered next what ought to be done with Maria and Zo, he only renewed his perplexity and distress.

To leave them (as he had hitherto left them) absolutely submitted to their mother's authority, was to resign his children to the influence of a woman, who had ceased to be the object of his confidence and respect.

He pondered over it in the schoolroom; he pondered over it when he went to bed.