HE Professor's room, as well as
Belinda's own, is at the top

of the house. Economy, as is well known, has to be sought in hotels by climbing; and the Professor has pursued her to the leads.

At their first coming, indeed, the numerous flights of stairs to be surmounted ere attaining her sloped roof and her trucklebed, had proved a severe tax upon Mrs. Forth's enfeebled strength; but use and returning health have made them easy. At all events, Belinda does not now think twice about climbing them, even if no absolute necessity prompt the assent. Is it

absolute necessity that, half an hour after Sarah's return, finds her first faintly knocking, and then looking uncertainly into her husband's room.

Who is there? who is keeping the door open, and creating a draught? Pray shut it at once !" cries a crabbed voice from the interior.

She complies by entering. Owing to the confined space allotted to him, the Professor has to use some nicety of management in the disposition of his property a disposition which entails the entire going to the wall of his toilette arrange. ments. Both bed and floor are strewn with folios and MS., which are piled, to the exclusion of basin and ewer, even upon the cramped washhand-stand.

Upon the one chair the occupant of the attic is seated: a fur-coat wrapped about his thin figure, a skull-cap on his head, his feet aloft upon a hot-water bottle, a writingcase upon his meagre knees and an inkhorn in his left hand.

Pray be careful where you step!" he says sharply, looking up and becoming aware of the tall, fair presence that has enriched his neighbourhood. "Do not you see that you are treading upon Tertullian ?"

She had not seen it; but she at once corrects her error.

"I believe that I expressed a wish not to be intruded upon this afternoon," he continues, since she does not at once speak or explain her entrance; "owing to having to support the whole weight of my work single-handed" (with a resentful glance at her idle and obviously convalescent beauty), "I am very much pressed for time. No doubt you have some good reason to give for infringing my injunctions."

if

"I thought that you might be surprised you did not see me at the table-d'hôte," replies she coldly; "so I came to tell you that I do not mean to appear at it to-night, and to ask whether you have any objection to my staying away

"Is it possible that you are threatened with a return of indisposition?" he asks, with a sudden, quick look of peevish anxiety.

She shakes her head, smiling suddenly and bitterly. It is so apparent that his solicitude is due, not to care for her health, but to apprehension of a new doctor's bill.

"Thanks, no."

"You appear to be unaccountably out of breath," he says, in a vexed voice.

"Not more than anyone must be, in climbing to this cock-loft," replies she sullenly.

Perhaps his examination of her face has reassured him as to her soundness, for once more he dips his pen into the ink-horn.

"You have not answered my question," says she brusquely, perceiving in him a deliberate intention of henceforth ignoring her.

He makes a gesture of annoyed impatience.

"It scarcely appeared to me to require an answer; I suppose you gave notice this morning to the manager of your intention to be absent ?"

"No, I did not."

"Then of course it is out of the question; according to the rules of the hotel, every meal not expressly countermanded is charged for; and I am really not in a position to countenance such irrational waste."

At the contempt and churlishness of his tone, her cheek burns.

"It would be no waste if I ordered nothing instead," she answers, doggedly; "and I am more than willing to fast."

"And incur the risk of a relapse?" cries he, in hasty displeasure. "I must imperatively forbid your exposing yourself to any such hazard!"

“I could have a cup of tea in granny's sitting-room; I am sure that she would not grudge me one."

"I request that you will do nothing of