r when a servant came in with the mail.

There were letters from Viamede,--one for Edward from his mother, one
for Zoe from Betty Johnson.

Both brought the unwelcome tidings that little Grace Raymond and
Violet's babe were very ill with scarlet-fever.

Edward read aloud his mother's announcement of the fact. "Yes," said
Zoe. "Betty tells me the same thing. O Ned! how sorry I am for poor Vi!
It would be hard enough for her if she had the captain with her, to help
bear the burden and responsibility, and to share in her grief if they
should die."

"Yes, it is hard for her; and I am glad she has mamma and grandpa and
grandma with her. Mamma says Dick Percival is attending the children,
and there is talk of telegraphing for Arthur.

"Ah," glancing from the window, "here he comes! He will perhaps bring us
later news."

Arthur did so: the children were worse than at the date of the letters.
He had just received his summons, and would obey it immediately, taking
the next train; had called to tell them, and see how Edward was.

"Almost entirely recovered, tell my mother," Edward said, in reply to
the query; "and you needn't go feeling any anxiety in regard to this one
of your patients," he added playfully.

"I leave him in your care, Zoe," said Arthur; "and, if he does not do
well, I shall hold you responsible."

"Then you must lay your commands upon him to obey my orders," she said,
with a merry glance from one to the other.

"Would that be any thing new in his experience?" asked the doctor with
mock gravity.

"It won't do to question us too closely," returned Zoe, coloring and
laughing.

"She is a very good little wife, and tolerably obedient," laughed
Edward. "Really, would you believe it? she told me once she actually
enjoyed obeying--under certain circumstances; and so, I suppose, should
I. Zoe, you mustn't be too hard on me."

"Oh! I intend to be very strict in seeing the doctor's orders carried
out," she said; "and I expect to enjoy my brief authority immensely."

Dr. Conly took leave almost immediately, for he had no time to spare;
and the reading of the letters was resumed.

Betty's was a long one, giving a full account, from her point of view,
of the contest between Mr. Dinsmore and Lulu Raymond in regard to her
refusal to take music-lessons of Signor Foresti after he had struck her.
None of the family had mentioned the affair in their letters, even Rosie
feeling that she had no warrant to do so; an