emotions.

A rap disturbed him.

"Come in."

Powers entered with a tea tray in his hands, upon which was neatly
arranged a little silver tea-service, with a transparent white cup,
saucer, and plate. The wax candle in its little silver candlestick that
sat upon the tray was the only light, and scarcely served to show the
room.

Ishmael raised himself up just as Powers sat the tray upon the stand
beside the bed.

"Who has had leisure to think of me this evening?" thought Ishmael, as
he contemplated this unexpected attention. Then, speaking aloud, he
inquired:

"Who sent me these, Powers?"

"Miss Middleton, sir; and she bade me to say to you that you must try to
eat; and that it is a great mistake to fast when one has a nervous
headache, brought on by fatigue and excitement; and that the next best
thing to rest is food, and both together are a cure," replied the man,
carefully arranging the service on the stand.

"I might have known it," thought Ishmael, with an undefined feeling of
self-reproach. "I might have known that she would not forget me, even
though I forgot myself. What would my life be at home without this dear
little sister? Sweet sister! dear sister! Yes, I will follow her advice;
I will eat and drink for her sake, because I know she will question
Powers and be disappointed if she finds that I have not done justice to
this repast."

"Will you have more light, sir?" asked the footman.

"No, no, thank you," replied Ishmael, rising and seating himself in a
chair beside the stand.

The tea was strong and fragrant, the cream rich, the sugar crystalline,
and a single cup of the beverage refreshed him. The toast was crisp and
yellow, the butter fresh, and the shavings of chipped beef crimson and
tender. And so, despite his heartache and headache, Ishmael found his
healthy and youthful appetite stimulated by all this. And the meal that
was begun for Bee's sake was finished for his own.

"Tour head is better now, I hope, sir?" respectfully inquired Powers, as
he prepared to remove the service.

"Much, thank you. Tell Miss Middleton so, with my respects, and say how
grateful I feel to her for this kind attention."

"Yes, sir."

"And, Powers, you may bring me lights now."

And a few minutes later, when Powers had returned with two lighted
candles and placed them on the table, Ishmael, who knew that not an over
tasked brain, but an undisciplined heart, was the secret of his malady,
set himself to wo