ill need assistance; and I am not willing to leave
Horace's child to the care of servants. Elsie has been a great comfort
to me in my sorrow," she added, with tears in her eyes, "and I will not
forsake her now; and you know, mamma, it is no self-denial, for I have
no heart for gayety. I would _much_ rather stay."

"Certainly; stay if you like," answered her father, speaking for the
first time. "I do not imagine that Elsie's disease is contagious; she has
doubtless worried herself sick, and it would not look well to the
neighbors for us all to run away and leave the child so ill. Ah! there is
the doctor, and we will have his opinion," he exclaimed, as through the
half-open door he caught a glimpse of the family physician descending the
stairs. "Ask him in to breakfast, Pomp. Good-morning, doctor! how do you
find your patient?"

"I think her quite a sick child, sir, though of the precise nature of her
disease I am not yet able to form a decided opinion," replied the
physician, accepting the offered seat at the table.

"Is it anything contagious?" inquired Mrs. Dinsmore anxiously.

"I cannot yet say certainly, madam, but I think not."

"Shall we send for Horace? that is, would you advise it?" asked Mr.
Dinsmore hesitatingly.

"Oh, no," was the reply; "not until we have had more time to judge
whether she is likely to be very ill; it may prove but a slight attack."

"I shall write this very day," was Adelaide's mental resolve, though she
said nothing.

Mrs. Dinsmore hurried her preparations, and the middle of the afternoon
found Adelaide and Elsie sole occupants of the house, with the exception
of the servants. Adelaide watched the carriage as it rolled away, and
then, with feelings of sadness and desolation, and a mind filled with
anxious forebodings, returned to her station at Elsie's bedside.

The child was tossing about, moaning, and talking incoherently, and
Adelaide sighed deeply at the thought that this was perhaps but the
beginning of a long and serious illness, while she was painfully
conscious of her own inexperience and want of skill in nursing.

"Oh!" she exclaimed half aloud, "if I only had some kind, experienced
friend to advise and assist me, what a blessed relief it would be!"

There was a sound of carriage-wheels on the gravel walk below, and
hastily turning to Chloe, she said, "Go down and tell them I must be
excused. I cannot see visitors while my little niece is so very ill."

Chloe went, but