of youth to brood over the thought of early death much more
resignedly, much more complacently, than we do in maturer years. Impress
on a young imaginative girl, as free from pulmonary tendencies as you
and I are, the conviction that she must fade away into the grave, and
though she may not actually die of consumption, you instil slow poison
into her system. Hope is the natural aliment of youth. You impoverish
nourishment where you discourage hope. As soon as this temporary illness
is over, reject for your daughter the melancholy care which seems to her
own mind to mark her out from others of her age. Rear her for the air,
which is the kindest life-giver; to sleep with open windows: to be out
at sunrise. Nature will do more for her than all our drugs can do. You
have been hitherto fearing Nature; now trust to her."

Here Mrs. Poyntz joined us, and having, while I had been speaking,
written my prescription and some general injunctions, I closed my advice
with an appeal to that powerful protectress.

"This, my dear madam, is a case in which I need your aid, and I ask
it. Miss Ashleigh should not be left with no other companion than her
mother. A change of faces is often as salutary as a change of air.
If you could devote an hour or two this very evening to sit with Miss
Ashleigh, to talk to her with your usual cheerfulness, and--"

"Annie," interrupted Mrs. Poyntz, "I will come and drink tea with you at
half-past seven, and bring my knitting; and perhaps, if you ask him, Dr.
Fenwick will come too! He can be tolerably entertaining when he likes
it."

"It is too great a tax on his kindness, I fear," said Mrs. Ashleigh.
"But," she added cordially, "I should be grateful indeed if he would
spare us an hour of his time."

I murmured an assent which I endeavoured to make not too joyous.

"So that matter is settled," said Mrs. Poyntz; "and now I shall go to
Mr. Vigors and prevent his further interference."

"Oh, but, Margaret, pray don't offend him,--a connection of my poor
dear Gilbert's. And so tetchy! I am sure I do not know how you'll manage
to--"

"To get rid of him? Never fear. As I manage everything and everybody,"
said Mrs. Poyntz, bluntly. So she kissed her friend on the forehead,
gave me a gracious nod, and, declining the offer of my carriage, walked
with her usual brisk, decided tread down the short path towards the
town.

Mrs. Ashleigh timidly approached me, and again the furtive hand
bashfully insinuated t