n already adopted by Mrs. Crayford. Clara declined to discuss the
question. She rose with formal politeness, and requested permission to
return to the house. The doctor attempted no further resistance. "By all
means, Miss Burnham," he answered, resignedly--having first cast a look
at Mrs. Crayford which said plainly, "Stay here with me." Clara bowed
her acknowledgments in cold silence, and left them together. The
doctor's bright eyes followed the girl's wasted, yet still graceful
figure as it slowly receded from view, with an expression of grave
anxiety which Mrs. Crayford noticed with grave misgiving on her side.
He said nothing, until Clara had disappeared under the veranda which ran
round the garden-side of the house.

"I think you told me," he began, "that Miss Burnham has neither father
nor mother living?"

"Yes. Miss Burnham is an orphan."

"Has she any near relatives?"

"No. You may speak to me as her guardian and her friend. Are you alarmed
about her?"

"I am seriously alarmed. It is only two days since I called here last,
and I see a marked change in her for the worse--physically and morally,
a change for the worse. Don't needlessly alarm yourself! The case is
not, I trust, entirely beyond the reach of remedy. The great hope for
us is the hope that Mr. Aldersley may still be living. In that event,
I should feel no misgivings about the future. Her marriage would make a
healthy and a happy woman of her. But as things are, I own I dread that
settled conviction in her mind that Mr. Aldersley is dead, and that her
own death is soon to follow. In her present state of health this
idea (haunting her as it certainly will night and day) will have its
influence on her body as well as on her mind. Unless we can check the
mischief, her last reserves of strength will give way. If you wish for
other advice, by all means send for it. You have my opinion."

"I am quite satisfied with your opinion," Mrs. Crayford replied. "For
God's sake, tell me, what can we do?"

"We can try a complete change," said the doctor. "We can remove her at
once from this place."

"She will refuse to leave it," Mrs. Crayford rejoined. "I have more than
once proposed a change to her--and she always says No."

The doctor paused for a moment, like a man collecting his thoughts.

"I heard something on my way here," he proceeded, "which suggests to my
mind a method of meeting the difficulty that you have just mentioned.
Unless I am entirely mis