very holy life, though I don't know
that there are many who wish to lead it; but I was very, very sorry to
hear of Clara's being a nun, because I thought that perhaps I might
never see her again, and of all people I wondered that she should turn
nun."

"I trust that she has given up all intention of becoming one," said the
general; "but you will see her soon, and she will tell you what she
thinks about the matter."

The general then told the servant to assist Miss Lennard in dressing,
while he went out to obtain a conveyance. On returning to the house, he
desired again to see Mrs Barnett. The lady was somewhat indignant, and
warned him that he must be responsible for the consequences of removing
Miss Lennard.

"Of course I am, and I am taking her where she can be more carefully
nursed than is possible in a school," answered the general.

Mary was soon ready, and her box packed up. The thoughts of going away
restored her strength, and she walked downstairs without difficulty.
The general carefully wrapped her up, and telling her to keep the shawl
over her head and mouth, lifted her into the carriage. They had but a
short distance to go. Clara was delighted to find that Mary was to
remain; but on perceiving how ill the poor girl evidently was, she felt
very sad. Mary was, however, not at all the worse for being removed,
and Mrs Caulfield immediately sent for her own medical man to see her.
He looked very grave, but gave no decided opinion. "She has been poorly
fed, and her mind overtaxed for one so young," he remarked. "We must
see what proper care and nourishment will effect; but I must not
disguise from you that I am anxious about her."

Clara begged that Mary might be placed in her bed, while she occupied a
small camp-bed at its foot.

"But you will have no room to turn," observed Mrs Caulfield.

"It is wider and far softer than the one to which I have been
accustomed," she answered, smiling, "and I shall be much happier to be
near Mary than away from her."

Clara had now ample occupation in attending on her sick friend, though
Mrs Caulfield insisted on her driving out every day, and advised her to
receive the visits of several friends who called. With the
consciousness that she was of essential use to Mary, her own spirits
returned and her health improved. The rest of her time was spent in
working, or reading to Mary, or playing and singing to her. The healthy
literature the general procured for M