I take the opportunity of asking
if Miss Emily is well?"

"Far from it, sir, I am sorry to say. She is so poorly that she keeps
her bed."

At this reply, the visitor's face revealed such sincere sympathy and
regret, that Mrs. Ellmother was interested in him: she added a word
more. "My mistress has had a hard trial to bear, sir. I hope there is no
bad news for her in the young lady's letter?"

"On the contrary, there is news that she will be glad to hear--Miss
Wyvil is coming here this evening. Will you excuse my asking if Miss
Emily has had medical advice?"

"She won't hear of seeing the doctor, sir. He's a good friend of
hers--and he lives close by. I am unfortunately alone in the house. If I
could leave her, I would go at once and ask his advice."

"Let _me_ go!" Mirabel eagerly proposed.

Mrs. Ellmother's face brightened. "That's kindly thought of, sir--if you
don't mind the trouble."

"My good lady, nothing is a trouble in your young mistress's service.
Give me the doctor's name and address--and tell me what to say to him."

"There's one thing you must be careful of," Mrs. Ellmother answered. "He
mustn't come here, as if he had been sent for--she would refuse to see
him."

Mirabel understood her. "I will not forget to caution him. Kindly tell
Miss Emily I called--my name is Mirabel. I will return to-morrow."

He hastened away on his errand--only to find that he had arrived too
late. Doctor Allday had left London; called away to a serious case of
illness. He was not expected to get back until late in the afternoon.
Mirabel left a message, saying that he would return in the evening.

The next visitor who arrived at the cottage was the trusty friend, in
whose generous nature Mrs. Ellmother had wisely placed confidence. Miss
Ladd had resolved to answer the telegram in person, the moment she read
it.

"If there is bad news," she said, "let me hear it at once. I am not well
enough to bear suspense; my busy life at the school is beginning to tell
on me."

"There is nothing that need alarm you, ma'am--but there is a great
deal to say, before you see Miss Emily. My stupid head turns giddy with
thinking of it. I hardly know where to begin."

"Begin with Emily," Miss Ladd suggested.

Mrs. Ellmother took the advice. She described Emily's unexpected arrival
on the previous day; and she repeated what had passed between them
afterward. Miss Ladd's first impulse, when she had recovered her
composure, was to go