Lady Cicely took no notice of that observation. "So, Rosa dear," said
she, "I think you are the person to decide whether he had not better
sail about with that little cub, than--oh!"

"I will settle that," said Staines. "I have one beloved creature to
provide for. I may have another. I MUST make money. Turning a brougham
into a cab, whatever you may think, is an honest way of making it, and
I am not the first doctor who has coined his brougham at night. But if
there is a good deal of money to be made by sailing with Lord Tadcaster,
of course I should prefer that to cab-driving, for I have never made
above twelve shillings a night."

"Oh, as to that, she shall give you fifteen hundred a year."

"Then I jump at it."

"What! and leave ME?"

"Yes, love: leave you--for your good; and only for a time. Lady Cicely,
it is a noble offer. My darling Rosa will have every comfort--ay, every
luxury, till I come home, and then we will start afresh with a good
balance, and with more experience than we did at first."

Lady Cicely gazed on him with wonder. She said, "Oh! what stout hearts
men have! No, no; don't let him go. See; he is acting. His great heart
is torn with agony. I will have no hand in parting man and wife--no, not
for a day." And she hurried away in rare agitation.

Rosa fell on her knees, and asked Christopher's pardon for having been
jealous; and that day she was a flood of divine tenderness. She repaid