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sudden inheritance of a considerable sum from a grateful patient； which
had rendered him independent for life； and had enabled him to turn his
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attention to the more scientific part of his profession； which had always
had a greater charm for him than its more practical and commercial aspect。
To this end he had given up his house in Weymouth Street； and had taken
this opportunity of moving himself； his scientific instruments； and his two
charming daughters （he had been a widower for some years） into the more
peaceful atmosphere of Norwood。
There was thus but one villa unoccupied； and it was no wonder that the
two maiden ladies watched with a keen interest； which deepened into a
dire apprehension； the curious incidents which heralded the coming of the
new tenants。 They had already learned from the agent that the family
consisted of two only； Mrs。 Westmacott； a widow； and her nephew； Charles
Westmacott。 How simple and how select it had sounded！ Who could
have foreseen from it these fearful portents which seemed to threaten
violence and discord among the dwellers in The Wilderness？ Again the
two old maids cried in heartfelt chorus that they wished they had not sold
their field。
〃Well； at least； Monica；〃 remarked Bertha； as they sat over their
teacups that afternoon； 〃however strange these people may be； it is our
duty to be as polite to them as to the others。〃
〃Most certainly；〃 acquiesced her sister。
〃Since we have called upon Mrs。 Hay Denver and upon the Misses
Walker； we must call upon this Mrs。 Westmacott also。〃
〃Certainly； dear。 As long as they are living upon our land I feel as if
they were in a sense our guests； and that it is our duty to welcome them。〃
〃Then we shall call to…morrow；〃 said Bertha； with decision。
〃Yes； dear； we shall。 But； oh； I wish it was over！〃
At four o'clock on the next day； the two maiden ladies set off upon
their hospitable errand。 In their stiff； crackling dresses of black silk； with
jet…bespangled jackets； and little rows of cylindrical grey curls drooping
down on either side of their black bonnets； they looked like two old
fashion plates which had wandered off into the wrong decade。 Half
curious and half fearful； they knocked at the door of number three； which
was instantly opened by a red…headed page…boy。
Yes； Mrs。 Westmacott was at home。 He ushered them into the front
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room； furnished as a drawing…room； where in spite of the fine spring
weather a large fire was burning in the grate。 The boy took their cards；
and then； as they sat down together upon a settee； he set their nerves in a
thrill by darting behind a curtain with a shrill cry； and prodding at
something with his foot。 The bull pup which they had seen upon the day
before bolted from its hiding…place； and scuttled snarling from the room。
〃It wants to get at Eliza；〃 said the youth； in a confidential whisper。
〃Master says she would give him more'n he brought。〃 He smiled affably
at the two little stiff black figures； and departed in search of his mistress。
〃Whatwhat did he say？〃 gasped Bertha。
〃Something about a Oh； goodness gracious！ Oh； help； help；
help； help； help！〃 The two sisters had bounded on to the settee； and stood
there with staring eyes and skirts gathered in； while they filled the whole
house with their yells。 Out of a high wicker…work basket which stood by
the fire there had risen a flat diamond…shaped head with wicked green eyes
which came flickering upwards； waving gently from side to side； until a
foot or more of glossy scaly neck was visible。 Slowly the vicious head
came floating up； while at every oscillation a fresh burst of shrieks came
from the settee。
〃What in the name of mischief！〃 cried a voice； and there was the
mistress of the house standing in the doorway。 Her gaze at first had
merely taken in the fact that two strangers were standing screaming upon
her red plush sofa。 A glance at the fireplace； however； showed her the
cause of the terror； and she burst into a hearty fit of laughter。
〃Charley；〃 she shouted； 〃here's Eliza misbehaving again。〃
〃I'll settle her；〃 answered a masculine voice； and the young man
dashed into the room。 He had a brown horse…cloth in his hand； which he
threw over the basket； making it fast with a piece of twine so as to
effectually imprison its inmate； while his aunt ran across to reassure her
visitors。
〃It is only a rock snake； 〃 she explained。
〃Oh； Bertha！〃 〃Oh； Monica！〃 gasped the poor exhausted
gentlewomen。
〃She's hatching out some eggs。 That is why we have the fire。 Eliza
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always does better when she is warm。 She is a sweet； gentle creature； but
no doubt she thought that you had designs upon her eggs。 I suppose that
you did not touch any of them？〃
〃Oh； let us get away； Bertha！' cried Monica； with her thin； black…
gloved hands thrown forwards in abhorrence。
〃Not away； but into the next room；〃 said Mrs。 Westmacott； with the air
of one whose word was law。 〃This way； if you please！ It is less warm
here。〃 She led the way into a very handsomely appointed library； with
three great cases of books； and upon the fourth side a long yellow table
littered over with papers and scientific instruments。 〃Sit here； and you；
there；〃 she continued。 〃That is right。 Now let me see； which of you is
Miss Williams； and which Miss Bertha Williams？〃
〃I am Miss Williams；〃 said Monica； still palpitating； and glancing
furtively about in dread of some new horror。
〃And you live； as I understand； over at the pretty little cottage。 It is
very nice of you to call so early。 I don't suppose that we shall get on； but
still the intention is equally good。〃 She cro