Mr. Arnold looked posed. He did not like to say he did not know what the word meant; for, like many more ignorant men, he thought such a confession humiliating. Von Funkelstein hastened to his relief. “It would be rather surprising if you were acquainted with the subject, Mr. Arnold. I fear to explain it to you, lest both Mr. Sutherland and myself should sink irrecoverably in your estimation. But young men want to know all that is going on.” Herr Funkelstein was not exactly what one would call a young man; but, as he chose to do so himself, there was no one to dispute the classification. “Oh! of course,” replied Mr. Arnold; “quite right. What, then, pray, is biology?” “A science, falsely so called,” said Hugh, who, waking up a little, wanted to join in the conversation. “What does the word mean?” said Mr. Arnold. Von Funkelstein answered at once: “The science of life. But I must say, the name, as now applied, is no indication of the thing signified.” “How, then, is a gentleman to know what it is?” said Mr. Arnold, half pettishly, and forgetting that his knowledge had not extended even to the interpretation of the name. “It is one of the sciences, true or false, connected with animal magnetism.” “Bah!” exclaimed Mr. Arnold, rather rudely. “You would have said so, if you had heard the lecture,” said Funkelstein. The conversation had not taken this turn till quite late in the dining ceremony. Euphra rose to go; and Hugh remarked that her face was dreadfully pale. But she walked steadily out of the room. This interrupted the course of the talk, and the subject was not resumed. Immediately after tea, which was served very soon, Funkelstein took his leave of the ladies. “We shall be glad to see you often while in this neighbourhood,” said Mr. Arnold, as he bade him good night. “I shall, without fail, do myself the honour of calling again soon,” replied he, and bowed himself out. Lady Emily, evidently relieved by his departure, rose, and, approaching Euphra, said, in a sweet coaxing tone, which even she could hardly have resisted: “Dear Miss Cameron, you promised to sing, for me in particular, some evening. May I claim the fulfilment of your promise?” Euphra had recovered her complexion, and she too seemed to Hugh to be relieved by the departure of Funkelstein. “Certainly,” she answered, rising at once. “What shall I sing?” Hugh was all ear now. “Something sacred, if you please.” Euphra hesitated, but not long. “Shall I sing Mozart’s Agnus Dei, then?” Lady Emily hesitated in her turn.