ing your colloquy," said Miss Loder in her softest voice, and with her sweetest smile, "but Arthur and myself are so anxious respecting our dear invalid, so apprehensive that she may weary herself, even while so pleasantly engaged; and Mr. Middleford so absolutely prohibits late hours, excitement, and-"

"Oh, if you come to the doctor, I will take my flight forthwith. Medical men, however hated, must be obeyed, I suppose. Good-night, Miss Dernevor."

As Geraldine was very feverish the next morning, and too unwell to leave her apartment, Miss Loder took care that Lady Ida Illford should not see her, pretending to attribute the increase of indisposition to the unusual stimulation of late conversation.

Lady Ida, however, contrived to have a private consultation with Mr. Middleford, and after allowing him to prescribe for a slight cold which she had, she introduced the subject of Miss Dernevor's delicacy of constitution; and, while apparently soliciting his opinion respecting the advisability of change of air for her, adroitly managed to impress upon his ductile mind the necessity of his patient's immediate removal to the western coast. And the good doctor was so much pleased with his adopted ideas that he would have gone instantly to display his borrowed wisdom to Sir Arthur and Miss Loder, and would have pressed the point with unguarded vehemence, had not Lady Ida interposed and dismissed him with the assurance that it would be requisite that she should first introduce the subject to their attention.

The following morning at luncheon, Geraldine reappeared, looking more fragile, more spiritual than ever-resembling a glorious lily that, unable to withstand the might of a devastating storm, droops its fair head silently; or a pale, beautiful star that wanes before the early splendours of the despotic day. Lady Ida's heart bled as she gazed upon her. "This wasting, consuming grief, must be removed," thought she, "and oh, that it may not already be too late! I must be prompt, firm, determined, for his sake, and her's too, poor thing! there has been some infamous plotting in this case, I'm convinced."

Even Sir Arthur's usually impassible features assumed a distressful expression, whenever his eyes, wandered over the pallid face of the invalid, though his sister retained

her smiling composure of manner even when speaking to Geraldine.

Observing this, Lady Ida contrived to attract him to her side when they went out to walk that morning, and with her characteristic abruptness, entered immediately upon the subject she had been revolving in her mind.

"That poor Miss Dernevor will soon be in a consumption, if she is not already."

Sir Arthur looked disturbed, but he replied calmly:

"I trust you exaggerate the danger, Lady Ida."

"If you trust to that you will deceive yourself fatally-this place is too cold for her, is killing her; she ought to go into Devonshire or Somersetshire for a few months."

"Have you ascertained Miss Dernevor's wishes respecting this matter? if she will do me the honour of consulting me, her slightest wish shall be religiously ob

served."

"I am unacquainted with her feelings upon the subject, but even should she be indifferent-"

"Then, assuredly, it would be pardonable to abstain from urging her to quit a place which she prefers, and of which she is the light and beauty."

"Even if her life must fall a sacrifice to your selfish regard ?" inquired Lady Ida indignantly.

My dear Lady Ida, you do me injustice. I have no reason to suppose Miss

Dernevor's life will be endangered by her