Would
you like to see him?"

Chester shrank back.

"I am afraid I should excite him," he said.

He had, besides, an idea that a boy so afflicted would be repulsive in
appearance.

"No," said Arthur, "it may relieve him to see you by diverting his
thoughts."

Without further words, he opened the door of a room at the head of the
staircase and entered, followed reluctantly by Chester.

"Ernest," said Arthur, in a soothing tone, "I have brought you a
friend. His name is Chester."

Chester was amazed at the sight of the boy. He was wonderfully
handsome, especially when at Arthur's words the look of pain left his
face and it brightened into radiant beauty. He seemed to fall in love
with Chester at first sight. He ran up to him, seized his hand, kissed
it, and said:

"I love you."

Arthur, too, looked amazed.

"He never took to anyone so before," he said. "You have fascinated
him."

"Sit down. Let me sit in your lap," pleaded Ernest.

All feeling of repugnance, all thoughts of the boy's malady were
forgotten. Chester sat in a low rocking-chair and Ernest seated himself
in his lap, touching his face and hair softly with a caressing hand.

"What a charming boy he is!" thought Chester.

"Did you come to see me?" asked Ernest, softly.

"Yes, I came with Arthur."

"Will you stay with me a little while?"

"A little while, but I must soon go. Why did you scream so loud a
little while ago?"

"I--don't know."

"Were you in pain?"

"N--no," answered Ernest, softly.

"Do you like to cry out in that manner?"

"No, but--I have to do it. I can't help it."

"I think he gives the right explanation," said Arthur. "It is a nervous
impulse, and has nothing to do with pain."

"Does he ever sit in your lap, like this?"

"No; I think he likes me in a way, for I am always kind to him, but you
seem to draw him to you irresistibly."

At that moment the professor came in. When he saw Ernest sitting in
Chester's lap, he stopped short in astonishment.

"This is strange," he said.

"Isn't it, uncle? Chester seems to fascinate my little cousin. No
sooner did he enter the room than Ernest ran up to him, kissed his
hand, and caressed him."

"I can't explain it," said the professor, "but Chester seems to have a
wonderful influence over my poor boy. I never saw him look so happy or
contented before."

All this while Ernest continued to stroke Chester's cheek and his hair,
and regarded him with looks of fond affecti