and a rent-roll of forty thousand pounds. Maria, to use her own
expression, never recovered it. From the horrid day when Susan became
Lady Northlake, Maria became a serious woman. All her earthly interests
centred now in the cultivation of her intellect. She started on that
glorious career, which associated her with the march of science. In
only a year afterwards--as an example of the progress which a resolute
woman can make--she was familiar with zoophyte fossils, and had
succeeded in dissecting the nervous system of a bee.

Was there no counter-attraction in her married life?

Very little. Mr. Vere felt no sympathy with his wife's scientific
pursuits.

On her husband's death, did she find no consolation in her son? Let her
speak for herself. "My son fills my heart. But the school, the
university, and the hospital have all in turn taken his education out
of my hands. My mind must be filled, as well as my heart." She seized
her exquisite instruments, and returned to the nervous system of the
bee.

In course of time, Mr. John Gallilee--"drifting about," as he said of
himself--drifted across the path of science.

The widowed Mrs. Vere (as exhibited in public) was still a fine woman.
Mr. Gallilee admired "that style"; and Mr. Gallilee had fifty thousand
pounds. Only a little more, to my lord and my lady, than one year's
income. But, invested at four percent, it added an annual two thousand
pounds to Mrs. Vere's annual one thousand. Result, three thousand a
year, encumbered with Mr. Gallilee. On reflection, Mrs. Vere accepted