wns, showed through
the pale obscurity, broken only by the red-glowing basin where a
night-light burnt, and the long tongues of flame that the blazing peat
scattered from time to time across the darkened ceiling. The solitude of
the sleeping house grew momentarily more intense in Alice's brain, and
she trembled as she strove to soothe her sister, and covered the hot
feverish arms over with the bedclothes.

'What sort of night has Olive had?' Mrs. Barton asked when she came in
about eight.

'Not a very quiet one; I am afraid she's a little delirious.'

'Dr. Reed promised to be here early. How do you feel, dear?' Mrs. Barton
asked, leaning over the bed.

'Oh, very ill; I can scarcely breathe, and I have such a pain in my
side.'

'Your lips look very sore, dear; do they hurt you?'--Olive only moaned
dismally--and, looking anxiously at her elder daughter, she said:

'And you, too, Alice, are not looking well. You are tired, and mustn't
sit up another night with your sister. To-night I'll take your place.'

'Oh, mother, no! I assure you it is a pleasure to me to nurse Olive. I
am very well indeed; do not think about me.'

'Indeed, I will think about you, and you must do as I tell you. I'll
look after Olive, and you must try and get a good night's rest We will
take it in turns to nurse her. And now come down to breakfast. Barnes,
you'll not think of leaving Miss Olive until we come back; and, if any
change occurs, ring for me immediately.'

When Dr. Reed arrived, Alice was again sitting by the bedside.

'And how is our patient to-day?'

'I cannot say she is any better; she has a distressing cough, and last
night I am afraid she was a little delirious.'

'Ah, you say the cough is distressing?'

'I am afraid I must call it distressing; is that a very bad sign?'

'Probably there is not much wrong, but it would be better to ascertain
the condition of the patient, and then we may be able to do something to
relieve her.'

The doctor drew a stethoscope from his pocket, and they lifted the
patient into a sitting position.

'I should like to examine her chest;' and his fingers moved to unfasten
her night-gown.

'Don't expose me,' she murmured feebly.

'Now, Olive dear, remember it is only the doctor; let him examine you.'

Olive's eyes were a dull filmy blue, the lips were covered with sores,
and there was a redness over the cheekbones--not the hectic flush of
phthisis, but a dusky redness. And the patient was