enough (with your interest to help us) to be received into the
asylum. What a relief it will be to get rid of that child! And
how hard I shall work at canvassing for subscribers' votes! Your
name will be a tower of strength when I use it as a reference.
Pardon me--you are not looking so pleasantly as usual. Do you see
some obstacles in our way?"

"I see two obstacles."

"What can they possibly be?"

For the second time, my politeness gave way under the strain
laid on it. "You know perfectly well," I said, "what one of
the obstacles is."

"Am I to understand that you contemplate any serious resistance
on the part of my husband?"

"Certainly!"

She was unaffectedly amused by my simplicity.

"Are you a single man?" she asked.

"I am a widower."

"Then your experience ought to tell you that I know every weak
point in the Minister's character. I can tell him, on your
authority, that the hateful child will be placed in competent and
kindly hands--and I have my own sweet baby to plead for me. With