Caroline's lips felt too dry to speak, and she held out the
certificate.
It was received by Allen, with the exclamation—-
"By Jove!"
And by Bobus, with an odd, harsh laugh—-"I thought she would do
something monstrous one of these days."
"Did you ever hear of him, Bobus?" she found voice to say, after
swallowing a mouthful of coffee.
"I fancy I have. Yes, I remember now; he was lecturing and vapouring
about at Zurich; he is half Greek, I believe, and all charlatan.
Well, Janet _has_ been and gone and done for herself now, and no
mistake."
"But he is a professor," pleaded Caroline. "He must be of some
university."
"Don't make too sure," said Allen, "A professor may mean a writing
master. Good heavens! what a connection."
"It can't be so bad as that," said Caroline. "Remember, your sister
is not foolish."
"Flatter an ugly woman," said Bobus, "and it's a regular case of fox
and crow."
"Mercy! here they come!" cried Allen.
"Mother, do you go away! This is not work for you. Leave us to
settle the rascal," said Bobus.
"No, Bobus," she said; "this ought to be settled by me. Remember
that, whatever the man may be, he is Janet's husband, and she is your
sister."
"Worse luck!" sighed Allen.
"And," she added, "he has to go away to-morrow, at latest," a
sentence which she knew would serve to pacify Allen.
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