the West Indies and finish an article before morning.’  He went down on his knees.  ‘Now Mrs. Leith Fairfax,’ said he, ’I am going to stay here until you promise.’  What could I do but promise and get rid of him?  I did it, too:  how, I dont know; but I did it.  John Metcalf told me yesterday that Sir James Hooker, the president of the Society for Naturalizing the Bread Fruit Tree in Britain, and the greatest living authority on the subject, has got the credit of having written my article.”

“How flattered he must feel!” said Elinor.

“What article had you to write for papa?” said Marian.

“On the electro-motor—­the Conolly electro-motor.  I went down to the City on Wednesday, and saw it working.  It is most wonderful, and very interesting.  Mr. Conolly explained it to me himself.  I was able to follow every step that his mind has made in inventing it.  I remember him as a common workman.  He fitted the electric bell in my study four years ago with his own hands.  You may remember that we met him at a concert once.  He is a thorough man of business.  The Company is making upward of fifty pounds an hour by the motor at present; and they expect their receipts to be a thousand a day next year.  My article will be in the Dynamic Statistician next week.  Have you seen Sholto Douglas since he came back from the continent?”

“No.”

“I want to see him.  When you meet him next, tell him to call on me.  Why has he not been here?  Surely you are not keeping up your old quarrel?”

“What old quarrel?”

“I always understood that he went abroad on your account.”

“I never quarreled with him.  Perhaps he did with me, as he has not come to see us since his return.  It used to be so easy to offend him that his retirement in good temper after a visit was quite exceptional.”

“Come, come, my dear child! that is all nonsense.  You must be kind to the poor fellow.  Perhaps he will be at the Academy.”

“I hope not,” said Marian, quickly.

“Why?”

“I mean if he cherishes any grudge against me; for he will be very disagreeable.”

“A grudge against you!  Ah, Marian, how little you understand him!  What perverse creatures all you young people are!  I must bring about an eclaircissement.”

“I advise you not to,” said Elinor.  “If you succeed, no one will admit that you have done anything; and if you fail, everybody will blame you.”

“But there is nothing to be eclairci,” said Marian.  We are talking nonsense, which is silly——­”

“And French, which is vulgar,” interposed Miss McQuinch, delivering the remark like a pistol shot at Mrs. Fairfax, who had been trying to convey by facial expression that she pitied the folly of Elinor’s advice, and was scandalized by her presumption in offering it.  “It is time to start for the Academy.”

When they arrived at Burlington House, Mrs. Fairfax put on her gold rimmed spectacles, and led the way up the stairs like one having important business in a place to which others came for pleasure.  When they had passed the turnstiles, Elinor halted, and said: