"It is a ruse, a trap, the grim idiot! to see what we will say to each other behind his back. Oh, I'd dose him! I just wish Thurston would kiss me! I do so!" thought Jacquelina. "Thurston," and the elf leaned toward her companion, and began to be as bewitching as she knew how. But Thurston was not thinking of Jacquelina's mischief, though without intending it he played directly into her hands. Rising he took his hat, and saying that his witching little cousin had beguiled him into breaking one engagement already, advanced to take leave of her. "Jacquelina." he said, lowering his voice, and slipping the note for Marian into her hand, "may I ask you to deliver this to Miss Mayfield, when no one is by?" A look of surprise and perplexity, followed by a nod of intelligence, was her answer. And Thurston, with a grateful smile, raised her hand to his lips, took leave and departed. "I wonder what it is all about? I could easily untwist and seal it, but I would not do so for a kingdom!" said Jacko to herself as she turned the tiny note about in her fingers. "Hand me that note, madam!" said Dr. Grimshaw, in curt and husky tones, as, with stern brow, he stood before her. "No, sir! it was not intended for you," she said, mockingly. "By the demons, I know that! Hand it here!" "Don't swear nor get angry! Both are unbecoming professor!" said the elf, with mocking gravity. "Perdition! will you give it up?" stamped the doctor, in fury. "'Perdition,' no;" mocked the fairy. "Hand it here, I command you, madam!" cried the professor, trying to compose himself and recover his dignity. "Command away--I like to hear you. Command a regiment, if you like!" said the elf. "Give it up!" thundered the professor, losing his slight hold upon self-control. "Couldn't do it, sir," said Jacko, gravely. "It is an appointment, you impudent ----! Hand it here." "Not as you know of!" laughed Jacko, tauntingly shaking it over her head. He made a rush to catch it. She sprang nimbly away, and clapped the paper into her mouth. He overtook and caught her by the arm, and shaking her roughly, exclaimed, under his breath: "Where is it? What have you done with it? You exasperating, unprincipled little wretch, where is it?" "'Echo anfers fere?'" mumbled the imp, chewing up the paper, and keeping her lips tight. "Give it me! give it me! or I'll be the death of you, you diabolical little ----!" he exclaimed, hoarsely, shaking her as if he would have shaken her breath out. But Jacko had finished chewing up the paper, and she swallowed the pulp with an effort that nearly choked her, and then opening her mouth, and inflating her chest, gave voice in a succession of piercing shrieks, that brought the whole family rushing into the room, and obliged the professor to relax his hold, and stand like a detected culprit.