spirit, and presently sends him forth shining--if not _in_ternally,
at all events _ex_ternally.

In truth the professor's mood is not a happy one. Sitting in the
hansom that is taking him all too swiftly to his destination, he
dwells with terror on the girl--the undesired ward--who has been
thrust upon him. He has quite made up his mind about her. An
Australian girl! One knows what to expect _there!_ Health unlimited;
strength tremendous; and noise--_much_ noise.

Yes, she is sure to be a _big_ girl. A girl with branching limbs,
and a laugh you could hear a mile off. A young woman with no sense
of the fitness of things, and a settled conviction that nothing
could shake, that "'Strailia" is _the_ finest country on earth! A
bouncing creature who _never_ sits down; to whom rest or calm is
unknown, and whose highest ambition will be to see the Tower and the
wax-works.

Her hair is sure to be untidy; hanging probably in straight, black
locks over her forehead, and her frock will look as if it had been
pitchforked on to her, and requires only the insubordination of
_one_ pin to leave her without it again.

The professor is looking pale, but has on him all the air of one
prepared for _anything_ as the maid shows him in the drawing-room of
the house where Miss Jane Majendie lives.

His thoughts are still full her niece. _Her_ niece, poor woman, and
_his_ ward--poor _man!_ when the door opens and _some one_ comes in.