were to-morrow! Will you take them out in the boat, papa?"

"Raymond will not be well enough at first; but by-and-by, I hope, we
shall have some grand excursions."

"And that dear little Madge that you have told me about; oh, papa, I
shall love her so much! Do you think she will love me?"

The fond father thought within himself that it would not be very easy
for her to help doing so; but he only answered, "I think she will,
Lily."

And thus they talked in the pleasant evening light, until the red sun
had dipped down behind the hills on the further coast; and then Mr.
Smith moored the boat, and the father and daughter walked home in the
red glow which the sun had left behind it.

The rest of the evening passed away very slowly to Lilian, she was
looking forward so eagerly to the morrow; and it was not until she had
planned and replanned every kind of pleasure that was likely to be given
to her, during the visit of her friends, and wondered over and over
again what they would be like that sleep came over her; and before she
knew anything more, the much longed-for morning had arrived.

Mr. Smith had gone to meet the children at their landing-place; and
about two o'clock Lilian heard the sound of the carriage-wheels coming
near. Then a fit of shyness came over her; and she hung back, so that it
was not until she heard her father's voice calling her that she went to
the door, just in time to see him helping out of the carriage a tall,
delicate-looking boy of about sixteen, followed by a quiet-looking
little girl of twelve.

"Here are your new friends, Lily; come and speak to them," said Mr.
Smith.

Then Lilian stepped forward, and shook hands with Raymond, and kissed
Madge. Madge returned the kiss; but she seemed intent on watching
Raymond, as if she had no other thought than to take care of him.

"I will take Raymond to his room, and he had better lie down for a
while," said Mr. Smith.

The boy smiled faintly, but he was too tired to speak; so his friend and
Madge helped him to the pretty room which had been prepared for him,
overlooking the sea.

He lay on the bed with his eyes fixed on the water; but very soon,
overcome with the fatigue of the journey, he fell asleep; and when, a
little while after, Madge stole softly into the room, she found him
slumbering peacefully. For an instant she bent over him, and the dark
earnest eyes were filled with tears of thankfulness that he was spared
to her, and was likely