She read each word aloud, bending her head in assent; and, after a
pause, he wrote "Not till his degree. He could not work it out
sooner. These is peril to self and others in experimenting-—
temptation to rashness. It were better unknown than trifled with.
Be an honest judge—-promise. Say what I want."

Spellbound, almost mesmerised by his will, Caroline pronounced-—"I
promise to keep the magnum bonum a secret till the boys are grown up,
and then only to confide it to the one that seems fittest, when he
has taken his degree, and is a good, religious, wise, able man, with
brains and balance, fit to be trusted to work out and apply such an
invention, and not make it serve his own advancement, but be a real
good and blessing to all."

He gave her one of his bright, sweet smiles, and, as she sealed her
promise by a kiss, he took up the slate again and wrote, "My dear
comfort, you have always understood. You are to be trusted. It must
be done worthily or not at all."

That was the burthen of everything; and his approval and affection
gave a certain sustaining glow to the wife, who was besides so
absorbed in attending to him, as not to look beyond the moment. He
wrote presently, after a little more, "You know all my mind for the
children. With God's help you can fill both places to them. I should
like you to live at Kenminster, under Robert's wing."

After that he only used the tablets for temporary needs, and to show
what he wanted Dr. Lucas to undertake for his patients. The husband
and wife had little more time for intimate communings, for the
strangulation grew worse, more remedies were tried, and one of the