mond Leicester, the great painter, whose picture will be one of the
gems in the Royal Academy some year or other; and we shall glory in
you."

"Not he--never; he would _never_ care."

"Oh, he would--he would; and if he didn't, you would be mine--all mine,"
she added softly, as she laid her hand on his arm.

Raymond looked up suddenly. "Madge, you are a witch, I think. I wonder
what those men do who have no sisters--poor fellows;" and then he kissed
her.

There was a glad light in Madge's eyes then. He so seldom did this,
except for good-night and good-morning, that she knew what it meant. She
was very silent for a few minutes, then sprang up, exclaiming, "Now we
must have tea, and then you have your etching to do, and I am going to
pay up the rent, and then I'll read to you, and do my sums."

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER III.

THE FEVER.

And Raymond did work. Madge watched him with hopeful pride, and seldom
stirred from his side. Their small store of money was nearly gone, and
there seemed but little likelihood of a fresh supply.

Raymond's hopes were bound up in the picture he was then engaged upon.
If only he could finish that, he felt sure that he could sell it. There
was a feverish light in his eyes, a burning flush upon his cheeks, while
he worked. He spoke seldom; but Madge saw him raise his hand sometimes
to his forehead as if in pain. The picture was nearly done, and Raymond
looked up for a minute one morning, and saw that the sun was shining
brightly down on the sea of roofs and chimney-pots which for the most
part constituted the view from their garret window, and then he said to
Madge, "Go out, and get a breath of fresh air; it is stifling work for
you to be always up here."

"Shan't you want me to mix your colours, Raymond?"

"No; go. I should rather you went."

She put on her bonnet, and then stood for one moment looking at his
work. "I wish you would come with me; it would do you good, and rest
you."

Raymond gave a wearying sigh. "No rest for me yet, Madge. I must toil on
until this is done. I can't rest when I go to bed. I am thinking all
night when will the morning come, that I may be at work again. No, no;
there is no rest until this is sold. Do you know that in a day or two we
shall be penniless and starving?"

Madge looked up at him with a smile. "No, Raymond, we shan't be left to
starve; don't fear."

Raymond looked doubtful, and went on with his work, and M