"And if she's _my_ daughter," observed Mrs. Collum, "she _will_ disapprove." But it was evident from Matilda's manner that the inference was incorrect; the relief of finding Leander guiltless on the main count had blinded her to all minor shortcomings, and he had the happiness of knowing himself fully and freely forgiven. If this could only have been the end! But, while he was still throbbing with bliss, he heard a sound, at which his "bedded hair" started up and stood on end--the ill-omened sound of a slow and heavy footfall. "Leandy," cried his aunt, "how strange you're looking!" "There's some one in the passage," he said, hoarsely. "I'll go and see her. Don't any of you come out." "Why, it's only our Jane," said his aunt; "she always treads heavy." The steps were heard going up the stairs; then they seemed to pause halfway, and descend again. "I'll be bound she's forgot something," said Miss Tweddle. "I never knew such a head as that girl's;" and Leander began to be almost reassured. The steps were heard in the adjoining room, which was shut off by folding doors from the one they were occupying. "Leander," cried Matilda, "what _can_ there be to look so frightened of?" and as she spoke there came a sounding solemn blow upon the folding-doors. "I never saw the lady before in all my life!" moaned the guilty man, before the doors had time to swing back; for he knew too well who stood behind them. And his foreboding was justified to the full. The doors yielded to the blow, and, opening wide, revealed the tall and commanding figure of the goddess; her face, thanks to Leander's pigments, glowing lifelike under her hood, and the gold ring gleaming on her outstretched hand. "Leander," said the goddess, in her low musical accents, "come away." "Upon my word!" cried Mrs. Collum. "_Who_ is this person?" He could not speak. There seemed to be a hammer beating on his brain, reducing it to a pulp. "Perhaps," said Miss Tweddle--"perhaps, young lady, you'll explain what you've come for?" The statue slowly pointed to Leander. "I come for him," she said calmly. "He has vowed himself to me; he is mine!" Matilda, after staring, incredulous, for some moments at the intruder, sank with a wild scream upon the sofa, and hid her face. Leander flew to her side. "Matilda, my own," he implored, "don't be alarmed. She won't touch _you_; it's _me_ she's come after." Matilda rose and repulsed him with a sudden energy. "How dare you!" she cried, hysterically. "I see it all now: the ring, the--the cloak; _she_ has had them all the time!.... Fool that I was--silly, trusting fool!" And she broke out into violent hysterics. "Go away at once, hypocrite!" enjoined her mother, addressing the distracted hairdresser, as he stood, dumb and impotent, before her. "Do you want to kill my poor child? Take yourself off!" "For goodness' sake, go, Leandy," added his aunt. "I can't bear the sight of you!" "Leander, I wait," said the statue. "Come!"