" Now, my dear Minnie, I must beg to differ. I might give up my judgment to you on a point of— of—-" (Miss Chubb hesitated a long time here, lor she found it extremely difficult to think of any sub ject on which she didn't know best) — *• on a point of the dead languages, for in stance. But on thi3 point I maintain that I have a certain penetration and 00-doyl. And I say that it is a case with Mr Diamond and little Rhoda — at least on his side. And of course she would be ready to jump out of her skin for joy, only I don't think the idea has entered into her head as yet. How should it, in her station / Of course . But as to him ! If I ever read a human countenance in my life, he admires her — oh, over head and ears ? To see him staring at her from behind your sofa when she sits by Mrs Errington ! No, no, my dear ; depend upon it, I am correct. And I don't know but what it might do very well, because, although educated, Mr Diamond is a man of no birth. And the girl is pretty, and will have all old Max's savings. So that really »

Thus, and much more in the same dis jointed fashion, Miss Chubb.
Minnie felt like one who is conscious of having swallowed a deadly but slow poison. For the present there is no pain ; only a horrible watchful apprehension of the moment when the pain shall begin. Some faculties in her mind seemed curiously numb. But the active part of it accepted the truth of what had been said, unhesitatingly.
