The whole tract is marked, however, throughout, with one all-pervading character: the absence of vegetable, and, consequently, of animal life, on account of the absence of rain.

But it is precisely this absence of rigid requirement which constitutes the fatal seduction of novel-writing to incompetent women.

In an upper room is Randolph engaged in expounding the elements of dynamics; in the room under that is Hester Dyettfor Hester has somehow obtained a key that opens the door of Randolph's room, and takes advantage of his absence upstairs to explore it.