very unfortunate; she was
always having illnesses, and had given them no end of anxiety.

"She has had everything that money could buy!" she said, over and over.
"It has never seemed to make any difference; her mother was the same
sort of person, unreasonable, always wanting what she couldn't have. My
brother had a great deal of trouble with her, and Lobelia is like her. I
have tried to do my duty by her. Do you think she will get well,
doctor?"

"Yes, I do think she will get well!" replied Doctor Hendon, glaring at
her in a way that made Miss Russell feel alarm for her safety. "I think
she will get well if she stays here, and has care and tenderness and
sympathetic treatment. You are her sister?" He turned upon Grace, who
sat beside the bed, passing her light hand over the sick girl's forehead
with smooth, regular strokes.

"No," said Miss Russell. "This is one of the pupils, Miss Wolfe.
She--was in the room when this attack came on, and Lobelia has clung to
her from the first in a singular manner. I did not dare to remove her,
and so, as you see, she has simply stayed here, helping the nurse."

"I see!" said the doctor. "I suppose she was--hum! stay close by her!"
this was to Grace. "You have a touch, I see. Probably you have been kind
to her,--poor, forlorn, miserable little creature as ever I saw in my
life!" The last words were hurried out as if they were one, in a gruff,
not to say savage whisper.

Grace looked up at him. "I am the cause of her illness," she said,
quietly. "I have never been kind to her, or taken any notice of her. I
have come through her room, using it for a passage when I was breaking
bounds, and have frightened her--to death."

The doctor looked at her under his bushy eyebrows. "That may all be so!"
he said. "All the same, you may now have the chance of saving her life.
Stay by her, that's all I have to say to you."

"And what have you to say to me, doctor?" asked Miss Parkins. "I have a
great responsibility. Lobelia will inherit a large fortune if she lives.
She has had everything that money--"

"You can go home!" said Doctor Hendon, with a sudden movement suggestive
of biting. "Go home, and stay there--I--mean, have things ready for her
when she is ready for a change. Good morning! Ya-ouw!" this last was a
manner of snarl with which he favoured Miss Parkins as he trotted out of
the room. The lady stared after him. "Is he a little touched?" she
asked. "He doesn't seem quite sane."