The person who had succeeded him, in the capacity of that lady's amanuensis, had been evidently capable of giving sound advice.

Little did he suspect that this mysterious secretary was identical with an enterprising pianist, who had once prevailed on him to take a seat at a concert; price five shillings.
"Well ?" said Teresa.
Mr.Null hesitated.
The nurse stamped impatiently on the floor.

"Tell me this! When she does come here, will she part me from Carmina?
Is that what she means ?" "Possibly," said prudent Mr.Null.
Teresa pointed to the door.

"Good-morning! I want nothing more of you.
Oh, man, man, leave me by myself!" The moment she was alone, she fell on her knees.

Fiercely whispering, she repeated over and over again the words of the Lord's Prayer: "'Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.' Christ, hear me! Mother of Christ, hear me! Oh, Carmina! Carmina!" She rose and opened the door which communicated with the bedroom.
Trembling pitiably, she looked for a while at Carmina, peacefully asleep--then turned away to a corner of the room, in which stood an old packing-case, fitted with a lock.