rang the bell.

"Curious," he thought. "That dandified little clergyman has certainly
reminded me of my discussion with Emily, more than two months since. Was
it his flowing hair, I wonder? or his splendid beard? Good God! suppose
it should turn out--?"

He was interrupted by the appearance of his patient. Other ailing people
followed. Doctor Allday's mind was professionally occupied for the rest
of the evening.

CHAPTER LII. "IF I COULD FIND A FRIEND!"

Shortly after Miss Ladd had taken her departure, a parcel arrived for
Emily, bearing the name of a bookseller printed on the label. It was
large, and it was heavy. "Reading enough, I should think, to last for a
lifetime," Mrs. Ellmother remarked, after carrying the parcel upstairs.

Emily called her back as she was leaving the room. "I want to caution
you," she said, "before Miss Wyvil comes. Don't tell her--don't tell
anybody--how my father met his death. If other persons are taken into
our confidence, they will talk of it. We don't know how near to us the
murderer may be. The slightest hint may put him on his guard."

"Oh, miss, are you still thinking of that!"

"I think of nothing else."

"Bad for your mind, Miss Emily--and bad for your body, as your looks
show. I wish you would take counsel with some discreet person, before
you move in this matter by yourself."

Emily sighed wearily. "In my situation, where is the person whom I can
trust?"

"You can trust the good doctor."

"Can I? Perhaps I was wrong when I told you I wouldn't see him. He might
be of some use to me."

Mrs. Ellmother made the most of this concession, in the fear that Emily
might change her mind. "Doctor Allday may call on you tomorrow," she
said.

"Do you mean that you have sent for him?"

"Don't be angry! I did it for the best--and Mr. Mirabel agreed with me."

"Mr. Mirabel! What have you told Mr. Mirabel?"

"Nothing, except that you are ill. When he heard that, he proposed to go
for the doctor. He will be here again to-morrow, to ask for news of your
health. Will you see him?"

"I don't know yet--I have other things to think of. Bring Miss Wyvil up
here when she comes."

"Am I to get the spare room ready for her?"

"No. She is staying with her father at the London house."

Emily made that reply almost with an air of relief. When Cecilia
arrived, it was only by an effort that she could show grateful
appreciation of the sympathy of her dearest friend. When the visit