Meeting Mr. Morley in the hall, the doctor advised him not to go near his wife, diphtheria being so infectious; but comforted him with the assurance that the nurse appeared an intelligent young person, who would attend to all his directions; adding,-- "I could have wished she had been older; but there is a great deal of illness about, and experienced nurses are scarce." Miss Clare was a week in the house before Mr. Morley saw her, or knew she was there. One evening she ran down to the dining-room, where he sat over his lonely glass of Madeira, to get some brandy, and went straight to the sideboard. As she turned to leave the room, he recognized her, and said, in some astonishment,-- "You need not trouble yourself, Miss Clare. The nurse can get what she wants from Hawkins. Indeed, I don't see"-- "Excuse me, Mr. Morley. If you wish to speak to me, I will return in a few minutes; but I have a good deal to attend to just at this moment." She left the room; and, as he had said nothing in reply, did not return. Two days after, about the same hour, whether suspecting the fact, or for some other reason, he requested the butler to send the nurse to him. "The nurse from the nursery, sir; or the young person as teaches the young ladies the piano?" asked Hawkins. "I mean the sick-nurse," said his master. In a few minutes Miss Clare entered the dining-room, and approached Mr. Morley. "How do you do, Miss Clare?" he said stiffly; for to any one in his employment he was gracious only now and then. "Allow me to say that I doubt the propriety of your being here so much. You cannot fail to carry the infection. I think your lessons had better be postponed until _all_ your pupils are able to benefit by them. I have just sent for the nurse; and,--if you please"-- "Yes. Hawkins told me you wanted me," said Miss Clare. "I did not want you. He must have mistaken." "I am the nurse, Mr. Morley." "Then I _must_ say it is not with my approval," he returned, rising from his chair in anger. "I was given to understand that a properly-qualified person was in charge of my wife and family. This is no ordinary case, where a little coddling is all that is wanted." "I am perfectly qualified, Mr. Morley." He walked up and down the room several times. "I must speak to Mrs. Morley about this." he said. "I entreat you will not disturb her. She is not so well this afternoon." "How _is_ this, Miss Clare? Pray explain to me how it is that you come to be taking a part in the affairs of the family so very different from that for which Mrs. Morley--which--was arranged between Mrs. Morley and yourself." "It is but an illustration of the law of supply and demand," answered Marion. "A nurse was wanted; Mrs. Morley had strong objections to a hired nurse, and I was very glad to be able to set her mind at rest." "It was very obliging in you, no doubt," he returned, forcing the admission; "but--but"--