The Evil Genius: A Domestic Story

together, before Sydney Westerfield was informed of

om the prospect of reviving the melancholy recollections associated with Sydney's domestic life. "Why distress the poor child,

a little," she said, quietly; "some of us may feel t

surprise of the family council,

question of morality, of course; but-in family circles, my dear-it's sometimes a question of convenience as well. Is it convenient to upset my granddaughter's governess, just as she is entering on her new d

s hand affectionately on his brother's s

l hes

ecall Miss Westerfield to the miserable life that she has led, and to do it in t

other side of the question!" cried his brother "Yo

rd no reasons which satisfy me that we have a right to k

"I do not like that man," she announced, pointing to Randal; "he always a

side," Herb

t h

is brother. "What d

now," Rand

rs. Presty. "Wha

the right light. "I only mean," he explai

e. "You have still got the American newspaper in yo

ley answered: "I mean to sh

n?" Herbert asked. "Have we no influence over you

ness of tone. "I am afraid I must appear obstinate; but it is ind

made on the very rare occasions when the latent firmness in her nature was stirred to its innermost depths. The general experience of this sweet-tempered and delightful woman, ranging over long intervals of time, was the only ex

ble, Catherine, that you don't see the cruelty

ou may trust me to be careful," was all she said in reply; "I shall prepare her

udden interest in the proceedings "W

nce,

ut of the way," she stipulated. "Do you object to Herbert givin

mself (not at all unwillingly) to circumstances. A

himself time to think. "We are all wrong, Catherine," he

thinking of yourself! I will see Miss Westerfiel

, Mrs. Linley returned. "Has it been very distressin

er promise that I should suffer no further anxiety on her account. 'You shall see no distressing change in me,' she said, 'when we meet to-morrow.' All she asked was to be left in her room for the rest of the day. I feel sure of her resolution to control hersel

o a man whom I know in New Yor

want! Write-pray wri

ttle delay as possible. He had made every inquiry without success. Not a trace of the boy had been found, or (in the opinion of the police) was likely to be found. The one event that