Jacquelina gave a little start of surprise--her face underwent many phases of expression; she glanced furtively at the indicated window, and there she saw a pale, wild face gleam for an instant against the glass, and then drop. She nodded her head quickly, muttering: "Oh, I'll pay him!" "Don't child! don't do anything imprudent, for gracious' sake! That man is crazy--any one can see he is!" "Oh, aunty, I'll be sure to pay him! He shan't be in my debt much longer. Soft, aunty! Don't look toward the window again! Don't let him perceive that we see him or suspect him--and then, you'll see what you'll see. I have a counter plot." This last sentence was muttered to herself by Jacquelina, who thereupon straightened herself up--looked the lecturer in the eyes--and gave her undevoted attention to him during the rest of the evening. There was not a more appreciating and admiring hearer in the room than Jacquelina affected to be. Her face was radiant, her eyes starry, her cheeks flushed, her pretty lips glowing breathlessly apart--her whole form instinct with enthusiasm. Any one might have thought the little creature bewitched. But the fascinating orator need not have flattered himself--had he but known it--Jacquelina neither saw his face nor heard his words; she was seeing pictures of Grim's bitter jealousy, mortification and rage, as he beheld her from his covert; she was rehearsing scenes of what she meant to do to him. And when at last she forgot herself, and clapped her hand enthusiastically, it was not at the glorious peroration of the orator--but at the perfection of her own little plot! When the lecturer had finished, and as usual announced the subject and the time of the next lecture, Jacquelina, instead of rising with the mass of the audience, showed a disposition to retain her seat. "Come, my dear, I am going," said Mrs. Waugh. "Wait, aunty, I don't like to go in a crowd." Mrs. Waugh waited while the people pressed toward the outer doors. "I wonder whether the professor will wait and join us when we return home?" said Mrs. Waugh. "We shall see," said Jacquelina. "I wish he may. I believe he will. I am prepared for such an emergency." In the meantime, Thurston Willcoxen had descended from the platform, and was shaking hands right and left with the few people who had lingered to speak to him. Then he approached Mrs. Waugh's party, bowed, and afterward shook hands with each member of it, only retaining Marian's hand the fraction of a minute longest, and giving it an earnest pressure in relinquishing it. Then he inquired after the health of the family at Luckenough, commented upon the weather, the state of the crops, etc., and with a valedictory bow withdrew, and followed the retreating crowd. "I think we can also go now," said Mrs. Waugh. "Yes," said Jacquelina, rising.