"Your apprehension of such a
thing shows that you are in no danger. You will see Dr. Phillips
tomorrow morning, and get something to set you to rights. I am glad you
are joining us here, for the sake of his advice. I like him so very
much, and I think him clever--perhaps not naturally so acute as Dr.
Vivian, but he has had a large practice so long, and so little wedded
to routine, and so willing to accept of any new light that can be
thrown on medicine, that his greater experience more than
counterbalances his son's greater talent. And he is cheerful, too; the
sound of his voice, and even of his step, is like a cordial to the sick
and the depressed, I think. I know it does me a great deal of good, and
it must benefit you."

"You are very happy here; honoured, and useful, and well paid," said
Elsie.

"Oh! yes, dear; I have a great deal to be thankful for, and in time we
will be able to be together always. In the meantime your holiday must
be enjoyed to the utmost."

So the sisters talked of their plans for the future, and of the routine
of their past life, as cheerfully as they could, and tried to banish
Mr. Brandon from their thoughts. Elsie was asleep first, and then Jane
anxiously lay awake, weighing the probabilities about her health and
her recovery, and also thinking with approval, but certainly with
regret, of Elsie's conscientious refusal of so excellent an offer as
she had that day received. Her own opinion of Mr. Brandon had risen
since she had known him better, and she believed that Elsie would have
suited him extremely well. She only hoped that he would not accept her
sister's answer as final, at least, if Dr. Phillips pronounced
favourably on the subject of her health.

Chapter V.

Elsie Accepts Of A New Situation

When Dr. Phillips had asked Elsie a great number of questions on all
sorts of subjects, that seemed but remotely connected with the cough
that she was so alarmed about--had sounded her chest, and gone through
the several forms of examination----

"Now," said she, "Doctor, tell me the truth; I am not at all afraid to
hear it. I have no dread of death; indeed, I rather desire it than
otherwise."

"I am sorry to hear it, my dear girl; for I do not see any chance of
it. There is nothing organic the matter with you--nothing
whatever--only a nervous affection that a little care will overcome.
You have been overworked and underfed. You have been out of doors only
in the early morning