At that moment, Johnny strolled up to the window from the outside, and, as he greeted Janet with some surprise, he observed-- “There’s a most extraordinary looking foreign fellow loitering about out here. I warned him he was on private ground, and he made me a bow, as if I, not he, were the trespasser.” On this Janet darted out at the window without another word, and John exclaiming, in dismay-- “Mother Carey! what is the matter?” She gasped out, “Oh, Johnny! she’s married to him! And the children don’t know it. Send them in--Allen and Bobus I mean--make haste; I must prepare them. Take that letter, and let the others know.” John saw the truest kindness was implicit obedience; and Allen and Bobus instantly joined her, the latter asking what new tomfoolery Janet had brought home, Allen following with a cup of coffee. 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. They had crossed the parterre by this time, and were almost at the window. It was Bobus who took the initiative, bowing formally as he spoke, in German-- “Good morning, Herr Professor. You seem to have a turn for entering houses by irregular methods.” The new-comer bowed with suavity, saying, in excellent English-- “It is to your sister that in both senses I owe my entrance, and to the lady, your mother, that I owe my apology.” And before Caroline well knew what was going on, he had one knee to the ground, and was kissing her hand. “The tableau is incomplete, Janet,” said Bobus, whom Caroline heartily wished away. “You ought to be on your knees beside him.” “I have settled it with my mother already,” said Janet.