Bella, that woman has seen papa." "What woman ?" "Mrs.Chump." "She has our permission to see him in town, if that is any consolation to her." "She has told him," continued Adela, "that no explanation, or whatever it may be, was received by her." "Certainly not, if it was not sent." "Papa," and Adela's voice trembled, "papa will not think of Besworth,--not a word of it!-until--until we consent to welcome that woman here as our guest." Cornelia was the first to break the silence that followed this astounding intelligence.

"Then," she said, "Besworth is not to be thought of.

You told him so ?" Adela's head drooped.

"Oh!" she cried, "what shall we do?
We shall be a laughing-stock to the neighbourhood.

The house will have to be locked up.