yesterday."

Mrs. Hilbrough was pleased that Millard had gone so far as to inquire.
She reflected that an illness, if not a dangerous one, might be a good
thing for lovers situated as these two. But diphtheria was another
matter.

"I wish I knew how she's getting along this afternoon," said Mrs.
Hilbrough.

"I would call again at once," said Millard, "but, you know, my relations
are peculiar. To call twice in a day might seem intrusive."

"I would drive there at once," said Mrs. Hilbrough, meditatively, "but
Mr. Hilbrough is so wrapped up in his children, and so much afraid of
their getting diphtheria, that he will not venture into the street where
it is. If I should send the footman, Mr. Hilbrough would not let him
return to the house again. I'm afraid he would not even approve of
communication by a telegraph-boy."

"A boy would be long enough returning to be disinfected," said Millard;
but the pleasantry was all in his words; his face showed solicitude and
disappointment. He could think of no one but Mrs. Hilbrough through whom
he could inquire.

"Perhaps," he said, "you would not object to my sending an inquiry in
your name?"

"Oh, certainly not; that would be a good plan, especially if you will
take the trouble to let me know how she is. Use my name at your
discretion, Mr. Millard. I give you _carte blanche_," said she, smiling
with pleasure at the very notion of bearing so intimate a relation to a
clever scheme which lent a little romance to a love-affair highly
interesting to her on all accounts. She took out a visiting-card and
penciled the words, "Hoping that Miss Callender is not very ill, and
begging Mrs. Callender to let her know." This she handed to Millard.

Mr. Hilbrough came out at that moment, and Millard bowed to Mrs.
Hilbrough and went in. Hilbrough had been as deeply grieved as his wife
to hear that the much-admired Phillida was ill.

"What are you going to do, my dear?" he said. "You can not go there
without risking the children. You can't send James without danger of
bringing the infection into the house. But we mustn't leave Phillida
without some attentions; I don't see how to manage it."

"I've just made Mr. Millard my deputy," said Mrs. Hilbrough. "You see,
he feels delicate about inquiring too often; so I have written inquiries
on one of my cards and given it to Mr. Millard."

Hilbrough didn't like to do things in a stinted way, particularly in
cases which involved his generous fee